Top 5 things Boston Celtics must do to close out Dallas Mavericks in Game 5
The Boston Celtics missed out on the opportunity to complete a sweep of the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals by being blown out 122-84 in Game 4 of their best-of-seven series. They will try to make another go at championship banner No. 18 when the series resumes for Game 5 on Monday at home.
In Game 4 on Friday in Dallas, the Celtics were outplayed across fronts, which greatly affected their ability to put up a championship-clinching performance. It's something they have to work on if they are to close things out and avoid giving themselves added pressure if the series extends further.
Below are some of the things that Boston needs to do to win the NBA championship in Game 5.
Five things the Boston Celtics need to do to close out NBA Finals series in Game 5
#5 Come out with needed energy on both ends
The Boston Celtics came out Game 4 rather nonchalantly and paid dearly for it. Whether it was the thought of the series being already done with after going up 3-0 or wanting to clinch the title at home, the Cs were not in a position to win with the way they played.
Boston was flat and got outscored 34-21 in the opening frame, and it all went downhill from there, with its deficit reaching 38 points, at 90-52, with 2:39 left in the third quarter.
The Celtics must make sure that they don't fall in the same hole in Game 5 lest they find themselves making another trip back to Dallas.
#4 Win the boards
Another measure of how the Boston Celtics were greatly outplayed by the Mavericks in Game 4 was in rebounding.
For the entire game, Boston was outrebounded 52-31 (39-27 on the defensive end and 13-4 on the offensive end), which prevented them from taking control of the contest.
By winning the boards, it gave Dallas more confidence and bounce to its game, which it made full use of in coming up with a dominant win and staying in contention.
#3 Defense, defense
For most of the postseason, the Boston Celtics have been consistent on the defensive end, something that was hardly seen in Game 4. The Mavericks simply had their way in imposing the pace and physicality that tilted the flow of the game towards them right from the get-go.
Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving came out firing to start the contest and were not to be stopped, with Dereck Lively II back to his lob-catching ways and Tim Hardaway Jr. and Dante Exum coming off the bench to torch the Celtics.
Incidentally, Game 4 was the first time that the Mavericks scored over 100 points in the series.
#2 Shoot the ball better
Apart from failing on defense, the Boston Celtics also didn't get things done on offense in Game 4. For the entire game, they only shot 36.2% from the floor (29-of-80) and 34.1% from deep (14-of-41).
It could well be a case of having a bad shooting night, which happens to the best of them. But they still they have to find ways to get themselves better shots in Game 5 to help their cause in clinching the title.
#1 Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum must have great games
The Boston Celtics pride themselves in getting the job done collectively, but there's no denying Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are on the front end of their attack.
Nevertheless, they must have solid games in Game 5 for the team to be in a better position to win its 18th NBA title in Game 5.
Combining for just 25 points, on 7-of-22 shooting and 2-of-9 from three, six rebounds and five assists, like they had in Game 4, won't make the cut.