Smart savvy plus a steady stroke spells victory versus Mavs

“So what you’re tryin’ to tell me, Coach, is that the man hit your guy in the elbow with his jaw?”

Well, maybe Dallas Maverick bench leader Rick Carlisle didn’t quite go there …

… but that crazy thought did briefly pop into my mind at the 9:04 mark of Q4 – after all, Kristaps Prozingis hadn’t seemed to connect on anything else all night.

You could almost see it coming. Marcus Smart switches onto KP in the lane, bodying up and planting his feet as the entry pass is made. Porzingis raises the ball and begins to turn over his left shoulder.

Did MS lean in ever so slightly (to accentuate the likelihood of contact) before he hit the floor?

I’m still not sure, but I do know one thing – damn few guys who’ve ever played have “game” enough (both physically and mentally) to make that particular play.

I’m lucky enough to have seen John Havlicek play but only fully came to appreciate what I was seeing in hindsight – at my age, I can’t afford to make that mistake with Mahcus.

Move over, William Tell

If we disregard Jayson Tatum’s Night from Hell, Brad’s crew was shooting pretty straight (40 – 68, .588) Monday night… Yowzah!!


Boston 116

FG: C’s – 41-86, .477
3FG: C’s – 15-35, .429
FT: C’s – 19-25, .760 [10 conversions]
TS%: C’s – .598
OR: C’s –10 + 3 (team) [minus 0 FT rebounds]
DR: C’s – 36 + 1 (team) [minus 4 FT rebounds]
TO: C’s – 9 + 0 (team)
Poss: C’s – 92 {41 “Empty”}
PPP: C’s – 1.261
CV%: C’s – 51 / 92, .554
Stripes: C’s – 9 [4.5 conversions]
Adjusted CV%: C’s – 55.5 / 92, .603 {expected production, 111 points}


Dallas 106

FG: Dal – 37-89, .416
3FG: Dal – 11-42, .262
FT: Dal – 21-28, .750 [12 conversions]
TS%: Dal – .523
OR: Dal – 13 + 4 (team) [minus 0 FT rebounds]
DR: Dal – 33 + 2 (team) [minus 3 FT rebounds]
TO: Dal – 6 + 2 (team)
Poss: Dal – 92 {43 “Empty”}
PPP: Dal – 1.152
CV%: Dal – 49 / 92, .533
Stripes: Dal – 4 [2 conversions]
Adjusted CV%: Dal – 51 / 92, .554 {expected production, 102 points}


Note re Calculation & Notation:

The number of “possessions” is an accurate count, not a formula-based estimated value. For purposes of clarity, the bracketed digit following the FT% is the exact count of “conversions” represented by those FTA’s.

“Possessions” calculation: FGA’s + FT conversions + TO’s – OR’s (including Team OR’s) – FT OR’s

“Conversions” calculation: FG’s + FT conversions

“Stripes” calculation: 3FG’s – missed FTA’s

TS% = True Shooting Percentage

PPP = Points per Possession

CV% = Conversion Percentage


images: bostonherald.com