February 1, 2020 — The Boston Celtics vs Dallas Mavericks in an NBA showdown. One with a talented team looking to contend for big stakes in each conference. In this detailed series, we will analyze the latest individual player statistics and break down key performances — giving intelligence on relevant stats. Whether you are a fan or not, this guide will provide you with all the information needed to learn about each of these games in more depth.
Overview of the Matchup
Now that all of the introductions are over, we can get to business and break down what went right/wrong for each player. A lockdown defensive team playing with pace on the break, Boston sports 17 world championships and smothering defence/freewheel offence-based brand of basketball. This team is led by a combination of veterans and young upcoming stars which makes them very difficult to beat.
Conversely, with the Dallas Mavericks – winners in 2011– they have been a factor from time to time over these past few years [with] their elite young superstar Luka Dončić. Plus, the Mavericks have a reputation for their high-powered offensive games and executions that can test even the top teams in the league.
Key Boston Celtics Player Stats
Jayson Tatum
Jayson Tatum will be around for a long time in the Boston Celtics starting five. Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images Scoring and defending like Tatum does is critical to Celtics success, naturally.
Points Per Game (PPG): 30.2
- RPG: 8.3 •
Assists Per Game (APG): 4.5
- Field Goal Percentage (FG%): 47.2 %
3P%: 39.4-of-100 (16 December)
With his ability to score at all three levels, along with his strong rebounding and playmaking abilities throughout the year — Tatum has turned out to be a linchpin for how Boston should try and attack Dallas.
Jaylen Brown
Brown is a good fit alongside Tatum as an athletic, talented scorer. He is a huge part of the Celtics balanced attack.
Points Per Game (PPG): 26.8
- Rebounds 6.5 per Game (RPG).
Assists Per Game (APG): 3.2
Safid Deen (@Safid_Deen) December 28, 2017 Field Goal Percentage (FG%): 49.1 per cent
3P%:.378 –
Brown’s scoring efficiency and his defence ensure that he will be one of those integral players in this matchup.
Marcus Smart
Marcus Smart is the NBA’s top overall point guard in defence as well as a playmaking threat, and his talents are essential for the Celtics.
Points Per Game (PPG): 15.1
- Rebounds Per Game (RPG): 4.0
Assists Per Game (APG): 6.0
- Field Goaltending Percentage (FG%): 42.3 %
Three-Point Percentage (3P%): 35.0 %
Smart is a key component to breaking down the Mavericks, both on defence and through his leadership.
Summary of key player stats for the Dallas Mavericks
Luka Dončić
The face of the Mavericks Luka Dončić is one of the most electrifying young talents in all basketball. That goes for any opponent he faces — his all-around game is a major problem.
Points Per Game (PPG): 33.1
Rebounds Per Game (RPG): 8.4
Assists Per Game (APG): 9.2
Field Goal Percentage (FG%): 48.7 per cent
Three-Point Percentage (3P%): 35.2
Dončić can score, rebound and control the pace of their play which is part 1A on Dallas’s game plan in attempting against the Celtics.
Kyrie Irving
What Irving would immediately bring on the floor for the Mavericks is a pair of elite scoring and playmaking capabilities. He brings experience and versatility that gives the team additional depth in their offence.
- PPG: 27.3
Rebounds Per Game (RPG): 5.2
- Assists Per Game (APG): 6.3
Field Goal Percentage (FG %): 46.5%
Three-Point Percentage (3P%): 39.0
The Celtics will throw multiple defenders at James and force Irving to create shots, and open avenues which his skills as both a scorer and distributor could help extinguish.
Christian Wood
As an efficient scorer and finisher around the paint, Christian Wood has been a strong presence for Dallas.
Points Per Game (PPG): 21.0
- Rebounds per Game (RPG): 9.0
Assists Per Game (APG): 1.8
- Field Goal Percentage: 51.2%
three-point percentage (3P%): 38.5 per cent
The paint falls squarely on Wood to help control it for the Mavericks (and provide a second scoring option after Dončić) by being efficient with his scoring and adding rebounding.
Game Impact: How does player information apply to the Boston Celtics vs Dallas Mavericks matchup?
Offensive Strategies
It is Tatum and Brown who will shoulder the offensive load for big minutes in Boston. Expect them to come up huge in helping break down the Maverick’s defence with their scoring and playmaking. It becomes especially critical for Marcus to act as a playmaker, opening up the flow of the offence and getting better ball movement in general.
Offensively the engine that powers everything for Dallas is Luka Dončić. And of course, the ability to score from different spots as well, and also create for other guys around him is always key. Kyrie Irving and Chrstian Wood are high scorers, Dončić will set them up perfectly for shots as these players average 15 ppg just Luke Luky Dame.
Defensive Matchups
The Celtics will have to do a good job on defense making sure they make Dončić work for his shots and can bring help defenders when he tries to make plays. Their defence of Smart will be crucial to getting Dončić out of his rhythm and contesting those shots. Tatum and Brown have also been asked to step up as weakside help defenders, which means that they’re going to need to be in two places at once — not only keeping Irving from the basket but then closing out on Wood if he’s hitting the perimeter shots.
Dallas will have its hands full trying to slow down Tatum and Brown. They will have to mix up their defensive schemes and individual match-ups to control these prolific scorers. The Mavericks’ defence has little going for it outside of Wood and trying to trap the ballhandler at half-court, so they need interior height to protect the rim on both pick-and-rolls and penetration from LaMelo Ball offensively.
Conclusion
Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks: Two of the NBA’s most dynamic offensive powers will go head-to-head in what should be a highly entertaining contest. Featuring star players Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving all set to compete in the event fans can expect a barnstorming battle with plenty of thrills along the way. Here are the player stats to demonstrate what each team brings to the floor and how they will impact this game. As usual, tracking these critical pieces and their production in this contest should allow us to pick up on any flow of activity.