Well, it took 2 overtimes, but the Celtics finally topped the Dirk-less Mavs 117-115 in the TD Garden. A big part of the game was the turnovers. The Mavs had 27 turnovers, which is the most of any team this season in a single game. I’m surprised it was so close with that many TOs. In the end the Celtics were too slow, letting Collison drive multiple times right through the defense. KG looked very slow during the overtimes, logging in 40 minutes through the whole game. It was either Scals or Tommy during the game, but they said that the Celtics really need to have the intensity Garnett has. This is obvious but it is so clear to me why he is so drained by the end of these games. If Bass and Sullinger can rotated and help like Garnett does, this defense will go a long way. When Avery Bradley gets back into the mix, this team will be hard to get by on defense given everyone stays healthy. Rondo keeps lighting up, coming one rebound shy of a triple double
I think the Celtics’ execution down the stretch was horrific. Too many jump shots!! At the end of the first overtime Pierce was given the ball with two seconds on the clock, his back to the basket and a foot away from the three point line. Pierce is a great clutch shooter and all but that is a miracle shot to ask of him. I think Doc really should have run him off a screen or something because that was too well-defended to be expecting a win in that type of a situation. Even at the end of regulation, the Celtics were walking it up the court, and the Mavericks had 5 second possessions consisting of Mayo or Collison driving to the hoop through a slow Celtics defense. I am glad Jeff Green is finding his way and being more aggressive and finding his own shot. One part that sticks out to me about this Celtics team is the chemistry between Rajon Rondo and Chris Wilcox. I think they had about 3 or 4 nice looking alley-oops, I just hope Brandon Bass does more of what Wilcox loves to do, go right to the hoop on the pick and roll.