Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) gestures after scoring a 3-point basket against the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
DALLAS — Jayson Tatum scored 24 points, Derrick White added 23, including Boston’s first 11 of the third quarter, and the Celtics beat the Dallas Mavericks 122-107 on Saturday night in the first meeting between the teams since the NBA Finals.
Jaylen Brown added 22 points as the defending champions bounced back from a 21-point loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night, their most lopsided defeat this season.
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The Celtics shrugged off an early 16-6 deficit and led by as many as 25 points in the third period. White scored 16 in the period.
READ: NBA: Anthony Davis leads surging Lakers past Celtics
The Celtics had a three-headed MONSTER in their #NBARivalsWeek victory over Dallas 🍀🍀🍀
Jayson Tatum: 24 PTS | 6 REB | 4 3PM
Derrick White: 23 PTS | 5 REB | 4 AST | 4 3PM
Jaylen Brown: 22 PTS | 8 REB | 6 AST pic.twitter.com/Pqg1vjDmDR— NBA (@NBA) January 26, 2025
Kyrie Irving scored 22 points, Quentin Grimes added 20 off the bench and Daniel Gafford had 19 points and matched a season-high with 15 rebounds for the Mavericks, who are 5-11 since superstar Luka Doncic was sidelined with a calf strain on Christmas Day,
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The teams will complete their two-game season series Feb. 6 at Boston.
Takeaways
Celtics: Kristaps Porzingis scored 18 points in his first game back in Dallas following the Feb. 10, 2022, trade that sent him from the Mavericks to Washington. Porzingis sat out his four previous visits, including Games 3 and 4 of last year’s finals, with injuries.
Mavericks: Down to two centers, backup Maxi Kleber left late in the third quarter with a sprained right ankle.
READ: NBA: Celtics need overtime to slip past Clippers
Key moment
With Dallas trailing by 21 points in the final minute of the third quarter, the home fans had to fend off the first of multiple “Let’s go Celtics! Lets’s go Celtics!” chants.
Key stat
The Celtics, NBA leaders in 3-pointers made (17.8) and attempted (48.9) per game, went 2 of 8 in the first period but finished 20 of 52.
Up next
Both teams will be home Monday, the Celtics against Houston and the Mavericks vs. Washington.
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