Sport 1 was a defensive masterpiece from the Celtics

It’s usually stated that one of the simplest ways to combat fireplace is with fireplace.

It sounds catchy, however the actuality is that water is a much more dependable antidote. Water is straightforward, sound, and efficient. It smothers fireplace and turns it into smithereens. Fireplace doesn’t stand an opportunity.

Luka Doncic and the Mavericks got here on the Celtics with fireplace early within the second half of Sport 1, however Boston calmly put out that fireplace in a single fluid swoop.

Luka Doncic lit up the lounge, however the Celtics ensured the injury didn’t unfold to the remainder of the home. Mavericks not named Doncic shot 39.7 % from the ground and 20 % from 3-point vary on the night time.

The Celtics have been comparatively content material with Doncic letting it fly, so long as they contained everybody else. Boston had the proper formulation in a resounding 107-89 triumph over the Mavericks on Thursday.

“Clearly any person like [Doncic] goes to attain, and get his factors,” Jayson Tatum instructed ABC’s Lisa Salters. “Our job is to attempt to restrict the opposite guys as a lot as we probably can.”

The Celtics primarily let Doncic run round like a child in a sweet retailer and tire himself out. He completed with 30 factors and 10 rebounds, however he had only one help in comparison with 4 turnovers. That was the primary time all season Doncic has had one help or fewer.

He tried to play hero ball, recognizing the Mavericks have been in bother, and it wasn’t near sufficient.

Boston threw completely different seems to be at him, and Jaylen Brown and Co. made Doncic work for all the things. Brown genuinely believes he’s among the many greatest defenders within the NBA, and he proved it Thursday night time.

Brown acknowledged Doncic nonetheless acquired his, which is true, however he approached an primarily unwinnable process with the proper mind-set. He was a formidable adversary in opposition to a stallion who fears nobody.

“What you noticed tonight is the problem he took for himself coming into the 12 months,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla instructed reporters.

The Mavericks regarded surprisingly disorganized within the pick-and-roll. The lob and nook 3 threats which were there all through the playoffs largely disappeared. Brown famous taking away the lobs was a degree of emphasis – a process that’s a lot simpler with Porzingis again within the fold.

The Celtics have a luxurious that no different group within the league has. They will swap nearly all the things and belief whoever finally ends up on Doncic. Clearly, the Mavericks will proceed to look to use Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford, however each fared admirably of their first check.

Heck, slingin’ Sam Hauser stymied Doncic on a number of events. Hauser is underrated defensively, however nonetheless, that’s a tall order.

“What makes our group actually particular is we don’t have guys we conceal on protection,” Tatum instructed reporters.

The protection on Doncic was robust, but it surely was actually the hassle in every single place else that received the Celtics the sport. Kyrie Irving regarded shockingly human, ending 6 for 19 total, 0 of 5 from 3 and a game-low minus-19.

He even dribbled it off his foot as soon as and was known as for a journey on one other play. That simply doesn’t occur. However there’s a cause it occurred. Derrick White, Jrue Vacation and the remainder of the Celtics acquired in his face and threw him off his recreation.

“Guys did a fantastic job speaking to one another and conserving protection first,” Mazzulla instructed reporters.

Irving missed some straightforward photographs he normally makes, and hit some wild ones that solely he can, however the Celtics largely stored him in examine.

P.J. Washington had a strong recreation, however Derrick Jones Jr. was 2 of 9 and Josh Inexperienced 1 of 4. Boston had 9 blocks, whereas Dallas had simply 9 assists. That’s unparalleled, particularly within the Finals.

The Celtics made the Mavericks play primarily isolation ball and compelled them into low-percentage seems to be. Boston is extraordinarily robust to beat when it’s rolling offensively, however when the protection can also be clicking, doing so is dang close to unimaginable.

“Simply good particular person protection,” Mazzulla stated. “Everyone’s acquired to tackle the problem of guarding these guys. They’re an incredible group, and so they put a ton of stress on you in numerous methods, with their skill to attain. Everyone’s acquired to take their matchup private, have private satisfaction in particular person protection.”

They did that Thursday night time. If the Celtics proceed to play with that very same focus, stage of depth and self-discipline on that finish, they need to discover themselves in a perfect spot.