Tatum, Brown Score Combined 73 Points, Lead Celtics Victory Over Doncic's Mavs

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown led the Celtics to defeat the Mavs despite a big statistical performance from Luka Doncic.

DALLAS — Against the top-ranked Boston Celtics (34-10), the Dallas Mavericks (24-19) encountered a difficult challenge and an opportunity to measure where they are as a group after having four days off since their previous game. The Mavs were defeated 119-110, despite the C's playing on the second night of a back-to-back. 

"Great test [against] the best team in the league right now," Mavs coach Jason Kidd said of facing the Celtics before the game. "They put a lot of pressure on your defense with being able to drive the ball. The ball touches the paint if your rotations aren't right. They're shooting the three at a high clip [and] they lead the league in attempts. We must figure out how to take the three away and protect the paint."

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Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 38 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists, while Jaylen Brown added 35 points, three rebounds, and four assists. The wing duo combined for an impressive 73 points, proving instrumental in setting the tone for Boston. 

The Mavs' superstars — Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving — also had dynamic performances. On Slovenia night, Doncic racked up 33 points, 18 rebounds, and 13 assists, while Irving chipped in 23 points, six rebounds, and three assists. Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 20 points off the bench. Dallas did not have a well-rounded enough display to achieve the victory. 

“I think I just missed a lot of layups. On that one possession I missed three in a row wide open. I just think it wasn't my night tonight," Doncic admitted. 

Early on, the Mavs appeared to pass that test. With Luka Doncic leading the charge, there was a clear emphasis on playing fast by pushing on the break and making throw-ahead passes for Dallas, helping to lead 21-15 after Irving converted on a short-range jumper late in the period. 

The Celtics closed the first quarter effectively, outscoring the Mavs 9-5 to close the period, resulting in Dallas leading just 26-24. Boston's momentum continued by getting off to a 13-6 start in the second quarter, never trailing for the remainder of regulation after Jrue Holiday's 3-pointer with 10:25 left to play before the break put his team in front. 

Boston took over after shaking off some significant early shooting struggles to score 41 points in the second period. Despite the Mavs scoring 33 points, an inability to get defensive stops resulted in trailing 65-59 at the break. For the NBA's winningest team this season, it was a display of what makes such a difficult opponent. 

"They [the Celtics] are an amazing team," Doncic said. "They are No. 1 in the NBA. They have great defense. They have two guys who can really play basketball really well, and all-around other guys that can really play too. So they have an amazing team and that is why they are No. 1.”

The defensive versatility the Celtics boast, with the ability to switch and put a wing on a big like Dereck Lively II without giving up too much size, proved challenging for Dallas. However, the Mavs were confident in the quality of shots they generated but felt there were missed opportunities with uncharacteristic misses on paint finishes and open jump shots. 

"I think the way they're built, they can switch at starting five, they can switch," Kidd said. "I thought we had some great looks — missed some bunnies tonight and shots we have made here in the past."

Among the factors contributing to the Mavs' shortcomings was an inability to put frustrations with officiating aside to remain focused on making plays. 

"I think we just were a little bit frustrated with the officiating, and we lost our focus, and we have to be better," Kidd said.

The Mavs needed to create momentum after halftime but failed to do so. Dallas was outscored 14-5 early on, trailing 79-64 early in the third period. Tatum and Brown continued to set the tone for Boston's scoring punch, answering any attempt by the Mavs to pull off a rally throughout this frame. 

A common focus for the Celtics' offense was to target Doncic by bringing his man into screening actions and to attack him when he was guarding the ball. 

"We have to be better defensively," Kidd said. "They picked on one guy [Doncic] the whole night. We've got to protect him."

How can they better protect Doncic? Kidd explained this could be achieved by making better weak-side help defensive rotations when containing drives, particularly against talents like Tatum or Brown, who had it rolling throughout the night. 

"Just understand when the ball drives, what your responsibility is," Kidd said. "That leads to another cover where someone else has to be responsible for helping each other. We have to be better at that. Boston is a team that puts you in harm's way by driving the ball."

"Unfortunately, when you have those two [Tatum and Brown] get into the free throw line and being able to shoot the three or drive, it's just going to put your defense in a bad situation," Kidd explained.

Irving admitted he needed to provide Doncic with more support offensively in the second half, with Doncic "forcing it" at times against an elite defensive team. Additionally, Irving felt Doncic could have been protected more by the Mavs' defense when he was being targeted. 

"I’ve got to give Luka some help, especially when he’s playing well in the first half," Irving said. "Like that second half, I felt like we could have given him a lot more support, and he was forcing it a little bit, like every great scorer does in our league, and we’ve just got to pick him up on the defensive end, make sure we’re there to support each other.

Entering the fourth quarter, the Celtics held a 94-83 lead, with Tatum already having 27 points and Brown scoring another 25. The Mavs trailed by double figures for much of the fourth quarter but did provide some resistance down the stretch. 

Doncic hit a step-back 3-pointer to cut the Mavs' deficit to 103-96 with 4:59 remaining in regulation, prompting Boston to call a timeout. Brown frequently attacked Doncic down the stretch. A four-point play from Brown using a make from the corner stifled Dallas' momentum, putting Boston back up by 11 points, with the unit answering with timely plays throughout clutch time. 

"Jaylen Brown really attacked me well. I saw that video. I can't lie that was really nice. I was on the floor praying he didn't make it, but he made it," Doncic said of Brown's highlight play. "I try to play my best. I think my defense, I took a really big step this year. I was trying, but Jaylen really attacked me. No [there was no push-off], that was a really nice move.”

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Tatum highlighted how the Mavs as an intelligent group that required the Celtics to disguise how they were attacking Doncic when bringing him into actions. Boston emphasized moving the ball and attacking with an advantage as opposed to focusing heavily on playing out of isolation. 

“You can’t just try to isolate him every time. They’re a smart team. They’re well-coached," Tatum said. "You have to disguise it a little bit. Teams try to attack certain matchups. You don’t just want to try to play iso at the top the entire game. You still want to move the ball. You want to move guys and try to play in space. We came here, like I said, with the right intentions.

There was an emphasis the Celtics placed on Doncic and Irving to make it difficult on them, by taking away advantages in ball screening actions often by switching and by shrinking the floor with low-man rotations. Boston contained the Mavs' superstars to shooting a combined 21-50 (42.0 percent) from the floor and 5-15 (33.3 percent) from the perimeter. 

“Those guys can score with the best of them so, if you’re not careful, the game can get out of hand," Tatum said. "We did a good job just trying to make it tough. That’s the most you can do.”

Former Mavs star Kristaps Porzingis would have played his first game at American Airlines Center since being traded in 2022, but he was ruled out due to right knee inflammation. A chance for him to play in Dallas would require both teams to make it to the NBA Finals this season or wait until the next regular season. 

Dallas played without Dante Exum (right plantar sprain) and Seth Curry (left ankle sprain). Both players are considered "day-to-day" regarding a potential timetable for return as they recover from their respective injuries. 

Irving spoke to reporters wearing a brace on his right thumb, revealing he underwent an X-ray that revealed a sprain. He doesn't anticipate missing any time and will protect his thumb while the injury recovers. The play occurred early in the game when swiping at the ball while guarding Tatum. 

“Yeah, on the first play of the game, JT [Jayson Tatum] went by me and I tried to swipe, and he does his kind of trick where he puts the ball up and messed up my thumb," Irving said. "That’s why I’m wearing this freaking brace right now man.”

Next up, the Mavs will compete against the Phoenix Suns, completing a two-game homestand at American Airlines Center.