Back to Boston: 10 takeaways from Celtics/Mavericks

#1 It’s only one game

After a loss like that, there will be a wave of negativity surrounding the Boston Celtics‘ performance and chances of closing out their NBA Finals series against the Dallas Mavericks. Some of the criticism will be warranted — and we will get into some of it here.

There will be countless reactionary takes. It’s worth remembering that this was the Celtics’ first loss in over a month. They came into this matchup on a 10-game winning streak, which usually ends in tough fashion.

The truth is, it’s just one game. The Celtics are still one win away from making history. They have three more bites of the apple to achieve that goal. Nevertheless, they can’t play like this again. They must get back to their style of basketball. Chalk it up as a bad night against a motivated team on their home court, and head back to Boston to close this thing out on your home court.

#2 First road loss of the postseason

Not only was this Boston’s first loss in over a month, it was their first loss on the road during the postseason. The Celtics have dominated their opponents on their own courts. It’s been a source of pride for this team. Going into hostile territory and shutting the crowd down has been a fun aspect of this playoff run.

However, the Mavericks weren’t just fighting to keep the series alive; they were fighting for pride. Nobody wants to get swept. Especially at the final hurdle. And most certainly not on their home floor.

That’s what Jason Kidd’s team upped their physicality. It’s why they battled for every loose ball. And that’s why we saw Luka Doncic start to play defense. Pride can bring the best out of you. The problem for Dallas is that this Celtics team will play a lot better in the next game, and that’s when the real test begins.

#3 Predictable offense

It’s been very hard to question the Celtics offensive process this season. They were the best offensive team in the NBA during the regular season and have rarely looked like they could be shut down during the playoffs. However, on Friday night, the Celtics struggled to find their rhythm.

There was a lot of single-drive offense. When the ball did get sprayed to the open man on the perimeter, the movement stopped. There was no additional cutting, secondary screening, or opening of potential outlets. Drive, kick, stand and watch. That isn’t what we’ve come to expect from Mazzulla’s team.

Even when the Celtics went into some of their halfcourt actions, the decision-making wasn’t what we’ve become used to. In the above clip, Boston goes to a high split between Tatum and Holiday. Tatum ducks into a post-up, Holiday collects the pass and drives into space on the weak side. As Tatum clears out of the interior, the low help covering Derrick White shifts over.

Usually, the Celtics would spot White being open and make the extra pass after forcing the defense to commit. Or, White would cut baseline to take away the help defense. Instead, White stays put, and Holiday is forced to try and finish with his off-hand around the rim. It was a good look, but we’ve seen them find better chances throughout this series.

How often have we seen this secondary drive result in a quick pass to the dunker spot for an easy bunny? Instead, Pritchard called his number with multiple defenders before him. It’s not a bad shot, but it’s also not the Celtics basketball we’ve come to enjoy.

#4 This is what it looks like when it’s good

Early in the game, there were moments of this Celtics team’s offensive style we’ve come to enjoy. The above clip is arguably my favorite offensive possession from Friday night (not that there’s a bunch to choose from).

Hand-offs, ball reversals, drives, cuts, and secondary drives exist. The possession ends on a third-side action. The defense has been forced to shift and rotate. Mazzulla’s team has opened up space to get Jaylen Brown going downhill. The bucket comes easily, and the offense looks smooth.

Here’s another example of what the offense looks like when it’s ticking. This time, it’s a more direct play. However, it’s designed to put Tatum in a dominant position. It starts with the Celtics threatening a flare action for White to score off the catch. Yet, rather than feeding White the ball, Xavier Tillman hits Tatum as the screener, allowing him to spin off his man and punish the space in the middle of the floor.

Still, moments like the two above were fleeting. Overall, it was very clear that the offense needed more…

#5 Secondary and tertiary movement

This is a possession from Game 2. An initial drive by Brown led to a kickout. A second drive from Pritchard led to another spray pass. Then, Holiday puts the rock on the floor, draws his man and gets the easy finish. 3 drives with one goal. When I think of Mazzulla ball and Boston’s postseason offense, specifically in the Finals, this is the type of offensive action that comes to mind.

Of course, it’s hard to consistently stick to your gameplan and execute at your usual level when you let…

#6 The physicality of the game rattle you

Because that’s exactly what happened. The whistle wasn’t friendly. A lot got let go. And some stuff that shouldn’t have been called was. It happens. Not every game is going to be called in your favor. Especially during a close-out game, away from home, in front of a rabid crowd.

The Mavericks found ways to up their physicality. They pressured the ball. They got steals. And they frustrated Boston’s primary rotation. You could see it in the body language on offer. You could see it when Tatum forcefully dismissed Derrick Jones Jr’s arm from his body before the refs stepped in to cool the situation.

Boston has been the tone-setter in this series. They’re the ones who have been dictating the terms of engagement and leading by example when it comes to the physicality of the game. When Dallas snatched control of that narrative and began inserting their will into the game, it rattled the Celtics.

On Monday, Mazzulla’s team must be ready for the dogfight. They can’t let themselves get pushed around or taken out of their usual game by some additional pushing and shoving. There’s too much on the line. The TD Garden will be rocking and that should help give them the additional confidence and aggression they were missing on Friday.

#7 Getting sped up

Another knock-on effect of losing the physical battle is that it gives your opponent confidence to adjust pick-up points and try out different forms of coverage. That led to Boston being sped up on both sides of the ball.

The Celtics often looked to do things a beat or two ahead of schedule, leading to some uncharacteristic turnovers and shot selection.

When you’re taken out of rhythm, are getting pushed around the court and find yourselves in a deep hole, it’s only natural to try and find ways to get out of the situation as quickly as possible. That leads to things getting rushed or even overlooked. Both of the above clips are uncharacteristic for this Celtics team. Especially at this level and at this late juncture of the season.

This version of the Celtics doesn’t get sped up often. They’re usually the ones controlling the tempo and pace. They must find a way to own every area of Game 5 if they want to close out the series at home and add a championship ring to their individual and collective resumes.

#8 Cold shooting nights happen

We’ve seen Sam Hauser cook off “floppy” actions all season. Yes, he’s struggled during the playoffs. Yet, whenever you see him curling off multiple screens, with a little bit of space and the ball finding him in his shooting pocket, you feel confident about the end-result. Unfortunately, Hauser’s shot, like most of Boston’s throughout the night, clanked.

Tough shooting nights happen — especially on the perimeter. The lack of three-point scoring only becomes a concern when the defense is limiting the interior scoring and forcing tough shots or uncharacteristic plays.

When you couple all of it together, it makes sense that the Celtics struggled to put points on the board. They were getting worked over, and there was very little to cling to that could turn the game around for them.

Nevertheless, every team will have a tough shooting night. It’s how they bounce back that matters.

#9 Defensive lapses

It’s rare we see the Celtics make consistent errors on the defensive end. They’ve been locked in all season — especially in the playoffs. Yet, as the game wore on, and the Mavericks took control of the pace, tempo, physicality and overall flow of the game, mistakes started to creep in.

Boston’s defense started to get back cut.

They were sending help off the dunker spot when the only lob threat on the floor was waiting for an inch of space.

And, most importantly, they got sucked into sending two at the ball and allowing themselves to get put in rotation.

This isn’t Celtics basketball. This isn’t how Boston plays defense. This can’t be what we see in Game 5. Not if we want the season to end with a championship on Monday.

#10 Outworked on the glass

There’s getting outworked, and then there’s getting mauled. Boston got mauled on the glass 31-52.

31-52!!!

They have to be better. They will be better. But, even with their backs against the wall, they must hustle to control the boards. Dallas grabbed 13 rebounds on the offensive side of the floor. Box out. Pick up cutters higher. Communicate. Play Celtics defense, not whatever that was.

Looking ahead

Yeah, Game 4 was far from great. Still, it was just one game. One loss after 10 straight wins. One loss out of every road game during the playoffs. And one loss out of the first 4 games facing the team that came out of the Western Conference. Perspective is important on days like today.

One – that is literally the magic number right now. It was one loss. But, more importantly, the Celtics still need just one more win. That’s it. One more dub and the 16-year wait for a championship is over. Whether that win will come on Monday remains to be seen. The only thing for certain is that the Celtics will play better because they have to play better.

One more. Let’s hope they make it happen on Monday! Either way, I’ll catch you all on Tuesday (and to address my two-game absence, I had family stuff after Game 2 and dental work after Game 3. Big shout out to Oliver for holding it down!) — anyway, have a great weekend!