1. Navigating Gafford's Rim Protection with Side Road Tactics
To avoid Daniel Gafford’s rim protection, the Celtics employed side road strategies. Initially, they ran a Zoom action, where Kristaps Porzingis kept the ball before transitioning into another Zoom action with Jaylen Brown. The combination of screens and off-ball movement forced the defense to switch, creating more space for Boston's offense. The Celtics also frequently used Zoom actions for Derrick White, capitalizing on his speed, ability to use screens effectively, and driving skills, making him a constant threat in these situations.
2. Klay Thompson’s Unstoppable Performance
Some nights, Klay Thompson is virtually unstoppable, and February 6th was one of those nights. Despite Derrick White and Jaylen Brown's best efforts, Thompson thrived both on and off the ball. His ability to move without the ball created opportunities for his teammates, and when the Celtics sent two defenders to stop him, Thompson kept moving, showing his value in creating space and spreading the floor. With Luka Doncic out, Thompson led the Mavericks' offense, showing that the role players could step up when needed.
3. Small Ball vs. Big Ball Battle
With key players like Anthony Davis and Derrick Lively unavailable, the Mavericks opted for small-ball lineups when Daniel Gafford sat. In response, the Celtics went big, mixing up lineups like Kornet and Horford or Porzingis with Kornet. While the Celtics’ size allowed them to dominate the boards and generate second-chance opportunities, it also slowed their pace. Meanwhile, Dallas capitalized on their quickness and spacing, exploiting Boston’s lack of mobility when they went big. The Mavericks’ speed created challenges for the Celtics' slower rotations.
4. Mavericks’ Unbelievable Jump-Shooting
Dallas’ jump-shot efficiency was simply off the charts, making 35 out of 67 attempts from both mid-range and beyond the arc. While the Celtics managed to limit rim attempts, with just 15% of Dallas' shots coming at the basket, the Mavericks posted an impressive 135 offensive rating, thanks to their stellar shooting. Despite a lack of rim pressure, Dallas found other ways to score efficiently.
5. Transition Offense Fueling the Lead
The Mavericks capitalized on live rebounds and pushed the ball in transition, scoring 2.75 points per possession following defensive boards. Boston’s big lineups, which committed multiple players to crashing the offensive glass, left them vulnerable on the defensive end. With fewer Celtics defenders back, Dallas was able to score easy points in transition, further extending their lead built on hot jump shooting.
6. Jayson Tatum’s Off-Dribble Passing
With the Mavericks packing the paint, Boston needed a playmaker capable of passing over the defense. Jayson Tatum’s recent growth as a passer allowed him to make key cross-court skip passes, enabling his teammates—especially Horford in the corner—to get open shots. This added dimension to the Celtics' offense, providing a way to break through the Mavericks’ paint-clogging defense.
7. Celtics’ Aggressive Rim Pressure
The Celtics focused on attacking the rim, with Kristaps Porzingis leading the charge. They increased their attempts at the basket, making 33% of their shots from the rim, thanks to aggressive post-ups from Porzingis and cutting plays from Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. The Mavericks forced them to give up the ball, but more off-ball movement from the wings could have further opened up opportunities for the Celtics’ offense.
8. Mavericks’ Zone Defense Challenges Celtics
Dallas used a 2-1-2 zone defense when Daniel Gafford was off the floor, which proved difficult for the Celtics to crack. Unlike the 2-3 zone used by the Cavaliers, Dallas’ zone had a defender positioned at the free-throw line, forcing Boston to rely more on jump shots. The Celtics struggled to hit them, which allowed Dallas to build and maintain their lead.
9. Bench Contributions in Garbage Time
With the game well in hand, the Mavericks’ bench players got extended minutes in the final 10 minutes. Drew Peterson, Jordan Walsh, and Neemias Queta made some nice plays, cutting the deficit by 17 points. While the game had already been decided, this was a valuable experience for the Mavericks' depth players to get some court time in a high-intensity game.