Anton Watson’s tip-in with 6:29 to play pulled the Celtics within 5 points of the Mavericks, but Dallas responded by ripping off 8 straight points and never looked back as Boston closed its NBA Summer League schedule with a 101-90 loss to the organization it beat in the NBA Finals.
Jaelen House led the way for the Celtics (2-2) with 18 points and nine assists, but only shot 7 of 19 (36.8 percent) from the floor. Watson finished with 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Jordan Walsh struggled from the field, missing 12 of 16 shots ― including all 10 of his 3-point attempts ― en route to 12 points, but he added 11 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals.
Baylor Scheierman kept impressing, hitting 5 of 8 from the floor (including 3 of 6 from 3-point range) to post 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists in 32 minutes. Ron Harper Jr. (11 points) and Killian Tillie (12 points) rounded out the six Celtics who scored in double figures.
The Celtics shot 42.3 percent from the floor (33 of 78), and 31.6 percent from 3-point range (12 of 38). The Mavericks, on the other hand, shot over 50 percent from the floor (36 of 71), and over 40 percent from 3-point land (11 of 27).
Dallas (1-3) led after one quarter, 30-22, and held a 55-45 lead at the half. Dallas held a 70-57 lead with 4:32 left in the third quarter, but the Celtics outscored the Mavericks, 12-6, the rest of the quarter to only trail by 7 at the start of the final frame.
But the combined work of guard AJ Lawson (21 points on 7-of-11 shooting) and forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper (22 points on 8-of-14 shooting) proved too much for the Celtics to overcome.
