By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
The Celtics went off for multiple big runs in the second half against the Mavericks on Monday night, extinguishing Dallas’ comeback bids en route to a 116-106 win at TD Garden. Kemba Walker led the way with 29 points and a season-high eight three-pointers as he exploded for 24 in the second half alone.
The Mavs held a 92-91 lead as late as with 5:44 left in regulation. But the C’s went on a 25-14 run from there on out, led by 10 points for Walker off a late flurry of threes. Boston improved to 8-1 on the season with the win, their eighth in a row since losing the season opener to the 76ers.
K3MBA! pic.twitter.com/XbSqUIcpns
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) November 12, 2019
Boston survived both a superlative effort by Mavs guard Luka Doncic and an uncharacteristically ugly shooting night for Jayson Tatum. Doncic scored 34 points to go with six rebounds and nine assists in the losing effort, while Tatum scored just five points on a shockingly poor 1-for-18 from the field.
Jaylen Brown provided the secondary scoring in this one with 25 points, and also pulled down a team-leading 11 rebounds. Marcus Smart added 17 points in a starting role, shooting a very nice 6-for-9 from the field.
On the Dallas side, it didn’t help that no one else on the team besides Doncic scored more than 15 points. Kristaps Porzingis also went ice-cold with a 1-for-15 shooting effort and just four points.
Up Next: The Celtics get the Washington Wizards next in a home tilt on Wednesday night at the Garden.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.