Three Studs, Three Duds From Mavericks Exacting Revenge On Celtics

BOSTON — It came months later than they wanted it, but the Dallas Mavericks picked up a decisive win at TD Garden over the Boston Celtics on Thursday night.

The two sides met on the famed parquet for the first time since the NBA Finals and the Luka Doncic-less Mavericks made a statement by dismantling the Celtics, 127-120. The final score looked better thanks to a spirted effort from Boston’s reserves after Joe Mazzulla pulled his starters with 9:35 left in the fourth quarter.

But it was yet again another lackluster performance for Boston on its home court — the Celtics are now 16-10 at TD Garden on the season and hold an overall record of 36-16.

Here are three studs and three duds from the Mavericks exacting a little revenge on the Celtics:

STUDS
Klay Thompson
Thompson turned in a vintage performance, looking like himself from his glory years with the Golden State Warriors. Thompson’s shot-making prowess was on full display in the first half as he found a quick rhythm to net 23 of his team-high 25 points in the first half.

Jaylen Brown
Brown tried to spearhead the Celtics, but he didn’t get much help from his teammates. Brown scored 25 points on 9-for-16 shooting to go along with five rebounds. Brown also knocked down three 3-pointers and was aggressive by scoring a couple of baskets in the paint.

Mavericks Bench
It seemed like the Celtics would have the advantage when it came to bench play, especially since the Mavericks were without Anthony Davis, Caleb Martin, P.J. Washington Jr., Dereck Lively II and Dwight Powell. But Dallas’ bench stepped up and clearly overshadowed Boston’s reserves during the meaningful minutes of the game. Spencer Dinwiddie (22 points), Max Christie (15 points) and Naji Marshall (20 points) combined for 57 points, which was far greater than the 28 points Payton Pritchard and Luke Kornet combined for.

DUDS
Al Horford
Horford got the start with Jrue Holiday out due to a right shoulder impingement. But the 38-year-old center looked every bit of his age against the Mavericks. Horford provided very little in 21 minutes as he scored just three points on 1-for-4 shooting to go along with five rebounds. Horford’s drop off from last season feels significant and he’s scored under five points in six of his last seven games.

Jayson Tatum
Tatum looked like was just going through the motions on the court. He didn’t lift up the Celtics like they needed him to — and like he’s supposed to — through three quarter. He did tally 17 points, four rebounds and four assists but turned the ball over four times. He finished as a minus-22, the worst rating on the Celtics.

Boston’s defense
The Mavericks got whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted. They shot 56.9% from the field and 44.4% from 3-point range through three quarters. Boston’s defense just looked out of sorts as the Mavericks put up at least 32 points in each of the first three quarters, including a high of 37 in the third frame.