Mavericks Drop Tough 2OT Loss to Celtics

Dec 12, 2012; Boston, MA, USA; Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle (right) watches from the sideline as they take on the Boston Celtics during the second overtime at the TD Garden. Celtics defeated the Mavericks in double overtime 117-115. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

“Now don’t be sad ‘cause 2 outta 3 ain’t bad.”

After being outshot many games this season and outrebounded many more, the Mavericks managed a solid shooting and rebounding performance against the Boston Celtics but unfortunately, their other big vice reared its ugly head once again as the Maverick committed 28 turnovers en route to a 117-116 loss in double overtime.

The Mavs trailed for most of the game and by as many as 11 points in the third quarter but came storming back in the fourth to take a small lead before the two teams were eventually tied again at the end of regulation and then again at the end of the first overtime period.

Paul Pierce exploded for 34 points and Rajon Rondo narrowly missed his second triple double of the season with 16 points, 15 assists and 9 rebounds.

After all the hype about the big reunion, Jason Terry wasn’t a major contributor with only 10 points and former Mav Brandon Bass had 9.  With one more point for Bass the Celtics also would have had 7 players in double figures.

The Good:

Except for the nasty turnover bug, the Mavericks played a good game and for a team with a 1-9 record against teams over .500, this was a pretty good effort.  The Mavs shot 51% and held the Celtics to 44% while outrebounding them 50-42.  So close and yet so far.

O.J. Mayo had 24 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists to lead 7 Mavs in double figures.

Darren Collison had 20 points and 6 assists while Shawn Marion, in his first game back after a groin injury, put up 16 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists.

Dahntay Jones had a season-high 12 points and the Mavs had solid contributions from Vince Carter, Chris Kaman and Elton Brand.

The Meh:

Brandan Wright, coming off nice work during the Mavericks three-game winning streak, was allowed on the floor for 5 minutes during which time he was 1-for-1 with a blocked shot.  Come on guys!

The Ugly:

Bottom line, really.   A whopping 9 turnovers for O. J. Mayo who trails only Kobe Bryant for the NBA’s most turnover-prone dude and Kobe has been handling the ball a lot more than usual without Steves Nash or Blake in the lineup.

I just had a thought – do you think Ramon Sessions would be more miserable coming off the bench for the Bobcats or starting for the Lakers right now?

But I digress…

Mayo wasn’t alone – Darren Collison added 7 and even Elton Brand had 4.  Good grief Charlie Brown!

Takeaway: 

The encouraging note for the Mavericks is that it was only turnovers this time as they outshot and outrebounded the Celtics.  Boston managed 34 points off of the Mavericks’ miscues.

The Celtics ended the Mavs 3-game winning streak and improved to 12-9 while the Mavs fall back to .500 at 11-11.

Next Up:

The Mavs face the Toronto Raptors for the second time this year on Friday night.  Preview coming up on The Smoking Cuban.