Mavericks 118 Celtics 113: Game 4 Recap

The Lead
Mavs build a big first half lead, only to barely hang on in the second half against the feisty Celtics.

(Photo via Getty Images)

Box Score

Leaders
Mavs
Points: Parsons, 29
Rebounds: Chandler, 12
Assists: Harris, 6
+-:  Harris, +13

Celtics
Points: Green, 35
Rebounds: Rondo, 9
Assists: Rondo, 15
+-: Olynyk, +13

Game Balls
Dirk Nowitzki
27 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 9-14 FG, 4-4 3PT
Chandler Parsons
29 points, 10-15 FG, 4-5 3PT

X-Factor
Devin Harris
12 points, 6 assists, 4-9 FG, 2-6 3PT

Goat Horns
Brandon Bass, Evan Turner and Marcus Thornton
combined 7 points on 2-13 FG

Play of the Game
After Avery Bradley hit 2 out of 3 three throws to pull Boston within one, Monta Ellis drives in for a layup to give the Mavs a 3 point advantage with 27.9 seconds left. Jeff Green would then miss a three and Ellis would hit two free throws to close it out.

Stat of the Game
A tale of two halves. The Mavs lead by as much as 31 in the first half and take a 67-41 lead into halftime. The Celtics then outscored Dallas 72-51 in the second half, with the Mavs again suffering third quarter woes.

Of Note 

• The Mavs starting frontline of Dirk, Parsons and Chandler went a combined 24-36 from the floor.
• Al-Farouq Aminu sat out the second half with a knee injury that according to Rick Carlisle was not believed to be serious.
• The Mavs were dominated on the boards by a 49-36 margin including 22 Celtics offensive rebounds.  
• Parsons has scored 20 or more in three straight games after only scoring 5 in the opener vs. the Spurs.
• Marcus Smart had 7 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and played tough defense in a homecoming for the Flower Mound native.
• The Mavs shot over 50% (53.7%) from the field for a third straight game and went 14-25 on threes.

Mavs Grades
Nowitzki: A
Parsons: A
Chandler: A-
Ellis: B-
Nelson: C
Harris: B+
Wright: B
Aminu: B
Barea: B
Jefferson: C

Quote of Note
 "How do I feel about it? It's a win in a league that's tough. But, yeah, we've got to solve some of those third-quarter issues. We have to keep playing. We have to make sure to come out with the same focus in the third quarters. Other than that, I've liked what we've been doing."
Dirk on the third quarter struggles

They Tweeted It

Behind in Cs-Mavs. This is unfair for defenses. pic.twitter.com/t5zNw2tIz6
— Mike Prada (@MikePradaSBN) November 4, 2014

Next Up
The Mavs (3-1) hit the road to the Pacific Northwest to face the Blazers (1-2), Thursday at 9:30.