Dirk Nowitzki blew past Kevin Garnett for the game-winning circus lay-up as the Mavericks beat the Celtics 90-85.
This was a game the Mavericks were supposed to lose. Back-to-back road games. Three games in four nights. Meanwhile, the Celtics had four days off. I'll be kind and say the Celtics were… inconsistent with their effort.
Rebounding (17 second chance points) and mind-boggling defensive lapses killed the Cs tonight. They also started slow, again. They opened the game shooting 1-10.
Rajon Rondo led the Celtis with 24 points, 7 assists and 3 steals. Kevin Garnett chipped in 16 points and 10 rebounds. Not only did KG get burned by Dirk on the game-winning play, but he also missed (or was blocked) an easy layup with one minute remaining.
Paul Pierce and Ray Allen combined for 13 shots and 16 points.
Mickael Pietrus (5 points, 2 steals) impressed in his debut. His steal and dunk late in the 3rd quarter helped bring the Celtics back from a 13 point deficit.
Something is off with this team. We can make excuses. It's early in the season. A lot of new faces on the bench. Not enough practice time. But a lot of teams are dealing with the same problems. I'm seriously doubting whether they will make the playoffs.
After the jump, Paul Pierce's game-tying three pointer.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0v7O6eoU5E]
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