DALLAS — The Celtics took getting embarrassed by the Mavericks in Game 4 on national television on the chin. Sure, they’re still up 3-1 in the NBA Finals, but they were dismantled right from tipoff against a desperate Dallas squad. The end result was an eye-opening 122-84 loss in Game 4 as the C’s were hapless starting in the first half.
But the C’s didn’t make any excuses. They owned up to their faults. They credited Dallas for playing harder and better all night. And in the NBA, even if the C’s got the doors blown off, losses happen. And as Jayson Tatum pointed out, they all just count one. So all they can do is regroup and watch film so they can pick up that all-important 16th playoff victory. And in those preparations, Al Horford made an interesting comment when it comes to their game plan.
“I’ve been in a lot of these, and usually by the second game, you’re making adjustments,” Horford said. “Third game, you’re making another adjustment, and that’s kind of how it is. And for us, we’ve had the first three games, we didn’t really make any adjustments. So today, they did something. We have to see how we can be better and prepare for it. That’s kind of where we’re at right now.”
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There were some subtle differences throughout Game 4 aside from the Celtics playing poorly. Luka Doncic continued to put up production, but the Mavs role players finally stepped up on their side. So that’s an area of adjustment the C’s will have to make life difficult for the others.
There were plenty of areas where the Celtics were also deficient throughout the game. The rebounding was an eyesore as the C’s were outrebounded 52-31. The Mavs attacked the boards relentlessly, and the Celtics never really matched the opposition’s energy. The C’s also let their missed shots get to them as they didn’t generate enough stops against a Mavs offense that was finally clicking after struggling in the opening three games.
So, yes, the Celtics do have a comfortable 3-1 series lead as the Finals shift to Boston for Game 5, set for 8:30 p.m. Monday. But the C’s will need to make those adjustments Horford mentioned, plus they’ll need to follow through on their process. It won’t be easy as the Mavs showed what they can do when it’s desperation time. But that’s what it takes to win a title as the Celtics are still left waiting for their 18th championship.
“Every series kind of has a life of its own,” Horford said. “They were in a position that their backs were against the wall, and they did what they were supposed to do. It is hard to win on the road. And even though we’ve had a lot of success this postseason on the road, they had the momentum. They kept it going, and that was a big difference.”
