The Boston Celtics showed what could happen on a night when nothing was falling for any of their players on the last game of their recent road trip, falling to a determined Chicago Bulls squad eager to stave off a deeper descent in the NBA standings.
But then the Celtics found their mojo again after seeing their league-best nine-game win streak snapped, drubbing the Dallas Mavericks 125-115 despite an epic showdown between Mavs star Luka Doncic and Celtics star Jayson Tatum tilting ever-so-slightly in favor of Doncic on the individual level. All in all, it was a scintillating contest that further cemented the Celtics’ status as a top team in the league this season.
Let’s take a look at what Celtics and NBA Twitter had to say about the win.
First quarter
Second of 11 games this season in the new city edition jerseys. Boston's record by shirt so far:
⚪️ 5-0 (home white)
🟢 4-3 (road green)
⚫️ 3-1 (statement)
🏙 1-0 (city)— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) November 24, 2022
Al Horford didn't make a shot in Chicago, but he hits his first 3 tonight. I'm here for #AngryAl!
— Abby Chin (@tvabby) November 24, 2022
Great move and finish by Tatum. Came up limping a bit though.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) November 24, 2022
Celtics running layup lines so far tonight.
— Brian Robb (@BrianTRobb) November 24, 2022
Brown and Smart also look like they're sick of losing to Luka too. https://t.co/17AOT9g1Wd
— Matt John (@MattJohnNBA) November 24, 2022
Mavericks with absolutely hilariously terrible effort to end the quarter. That's how Boston blitzes you.
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) November 24, 2022
Second quarter
Need 3 more quarters like that from the Celtics. Luka can get his and it won't matter.
— Mike Dynon ☘️🏀 (@MikeDynon) November 24, 2022
Tatum’s ankle looks fine
— Evan Valenti (@EvanValenti) November 24, 2022
Derrick White has been showing out so far this season. Stepping up in every single role he asked to be in. More confident, comfortable, and making plays on both ends of the floor. 🔥 #bleedgreen
— Amina Smith (@aminajadeTV) November 24, 2022
…followed by an immediate 8-0 Mavs run.
— Yaya Dubin (@JADubin5) November 24, 2022
Jayson Tatum just tried to detonate on JaVale McGee at the rim, and drew a foul in the process – one that Jason Kidd is now challenging.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) November 24, 2022
The challenge of that JaVale foul on Tatum might be the worst challenge of the season. Extraordinarily low-impact even if it succeeds, and the chance of success was like negative zero.
— Yaya Dubin (@JADubin5) November 24, 2022
11 first half free throws for Jayson Tatum.
— Brian Robb (@BrianTRobb) November 24, 2022
After attacking the rim early, Boston is now back to firing away from beyond the arc again, and to great effect.
The Celtics are now 11-for-19 from deep – and Jayson Tatum was just fouled on a 3.
He'll head to the line to put Boston up by as many as 25 late in the first half.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) November 24, 2022
70 POINTS IN THE FIRST HALF 🤯 That’s the second time this season Celtics have scored 70+ in the first half #bleedgreen
— Amina Smith (@aminajadeTV) November 24, 2022
Third quarter
Someone needs to isolate that Grant Williams…penguin impersonation? from the broadcast just now.
Please, for the culture.
— Dr. Justin Quinn (@justinquinnn) November 24, 2022
This quarter must have the highest half court offensive efficiency in history. Both teams scoring every trip despite playing slow.
— Ryan Bernardoni (@dangercart) November 24, 2022
#Mavericks offense was ready for the second half but the defense is still back in the locker room. BOS 89, DAL 65, 3Q. #Celtics
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) November 24, 2022
Good timeout by Mazzulla. It's turned into trading baskets for the most part. Celtics defense has been pretty sloppy this half.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) November 24, 2022
Mavericks are shooting 53.4 percent and they're down by 20.
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) November 24, 2022
Mavericks caught Celtics sleepwalking towards the end of the third.
Celtics thought it was over when they went up 26.
— Matt John (@MattJohnNBA) November 24, 2022
Fourth quarter
Marcus Smart just drew his fifth charge of the season. He's two behind teammate Derrick White in that category.
— Marc D'Amico (@Marc_DAmico) November 24, 2022
Still just an 8-man rotation for Joe Mazzulla tonight.
No Pritchard, Kornet, Blake or Vonleh.— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) November 24, 2022
the celtics are the only team that seem to be consistently about their business so far this season. maybe milwaukee but less so.
— Rohan Nadkarni (@RohanNadkarni) November 24, 2022
Huge 3-pointer for Al Horford there. He came off an 0-9 game (0-7 3pt) to go 5-5 so far, 4-4 3pt
— John Karalis 🇬🇷 🇺🇦 (@John_Karalis) November 24, 2022
Jayson Tatum blocks a Luka Doncic drive at one end, and then Jaylen Brown buries a 3 at the other. Now both Tatum and Brown have eclipsed 30 on the night, Boston is up 17 and this one is over.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) November 24, 2022
— Cameron Tabatabaie (@CTabatabaie) November 24, 2022
Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi
YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ
Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi
YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ
