The Boston Celtics came away with a 109-103 win late at American Airlines Arena Wednesday night, defeating the Dallas Mavericks despite being down several key players.
Without forward Gordon Hayward, guard Marcus Smart, or centers Rob Williams III and Vincent Poirier, Boston managed to hang on to a lead throughout most of the final frame to come away with the win.
Driven by a hot start from Kemba Walker with 16 points in the first quarter and 32 on the night, the Celtics managed to fend off a pesky Mavs team down their best player — guard Luka Doncic — with a big night from the Jay Team.
Walker with a game-high 32 points! https://t.co/c5d2OOfUNV
— Amanda_Pflugrad (@Amanda_Pflugrad) December 19, 2019
Swingman Jayson Tatum went for 24 points and 7 boards, and wing Jaylen Brown 25 points and 9 rebounds to secure the win despite a huge night for Dallas forward Kristaps Porzingis with 23 points and 13 boards.
The game was a close affair from tip to buzzer, with the Celtics trailing for most of the contest.
Boston emerged with the lead it held for good early in the fourth quarter, even without several key players, the team looking spry late after some time to rest.
“We had a chance to have a few days off, and we took advantage of it,” said Walker post-game (via ESPN) of how the team made use of an unusual five-day break to recharge and refocus.
Brad Stevens: "I thought we were awful defensively. They missed a lot of open shots. We played it well enough to win but not good enough as we need to to be a really good team." #Celtics
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) December 19, 2019
“We started off a little slow, but we never stopped playing this game. We stayed together … we battled,” added the UConn product, referencing the team’s slow start.
Boston now finds itself in second place in the East behind the 24-4 Milwaukee Bucks, a half-game ahead of a surging Miami Heat at 18-7.
The team next faces the 11-17 Detroit Pistons at home on Friday, Dec. 20, at 7:30 pm ET.