BOSTON — Previous to a 2024 NBA Finals rematch on Thursday night time, the Boston Celtics had defeated the Dallas Mavericks in 9 of their final 10 conferences within the common season and postseason. Nonetheless, the shorthanded Mavs got here out firing and upset the C’s, 127-120, drawing a smattering of boos at TD Backyard. None of this ruined Joe Mazzulla’s temper, who’s embraced the battle that comes with an 82-game common season.
“I feel it has been nice,” Mazzulla said in his postgame press convention. “Once more, there is not any compass as to what [the season] is meant to appear to be. So on the finish of the day, the common season offers us a ton of data on the issues we have to construct in direction of.”
Final summer time, Mazzulla welcomed the strain of a title protection, saying that the 2024-25 marketing campaign would not be about defending, however moderately attacking rivals, by way of the Locked on Celtics podcast. When reminded of this and his want to have a “goal” proper between his staff’s “eyes” on Thursday, Mazzulla unsurprisingly doubled down.
“[This season has] been an awesome journey,” he commented. “Thanks for reminding me of that. I am having a blast.”
Celtics followers won’t be having as a lot enjoyable. The Boston trustworthy have already seen the Inexperienced Staff lose 10 instances at house. The Celtics solely misplaced six house video games mixed throughout the 2023-24 common season and playoffs. Though the C’s had been on a four-game successful streak earlier than encountering the Mavericks, Dallas curbed Boston’s momentum from the soar, taking pictures 58.3% from the sector within the first half.
Regardless of eight turnovers and 6 bench factors (to the Mavericks’ 27), the Celtics solely trailed by 11 at halftime. However, they had been outscored by 10 factors within the third quarter. When their reserves picked it up and minimize the lead all the way down to 11 with 3:05 remaining in regulation, it was too late. Mavericks shooter Klay Thompson completed with 25 factors, his second-highest output since getting traded from the dynastic Golden State Warriors, and Dante Exum contributed a season-high 15 factors, his highest whole since March of 2024.
Though the Mavs prevailed with out beginning ahead P.J. Washington, their followers won’t be having a lot enjoyable both. Forward of the commerce deadline, the Mavericks shocked the NBA world by dealing franchise cornerstone Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. Whereas they acquired star middle Anthony Davis, third-year guard Max Christie, and a first-round decide, the commerce enraged and confused a lot of Dallas.
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Celtics make fascinating post-trade deadline acquisition
The Celtics’ deadline wasn’t as eventful. But, throughout Boston’s disappointing defeat versus the Mavericks, they agreed to a cope with former Chicago Bulls wing Torrey Craig, per Shams Charania of ESPN.
The 34-year-old has solely performed 9 video games this season and would not qualify as an enormous swing for Boston. Given its lack of economic flexibility beneath the brand new CBA, it will take a veteran shooter who earned a great deal of playoff expertise with the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns.
Maybe Craig will make his debut in inexperienced on Saturday night time, because the 36-16 Celtics tackle the 34-17 New York Knicks at Madison Sq. Backyard. Both manner, Mazzulla will sit up for getting ready his guys for one more common season problem alongside their quest to repeat as NBA champions.