The Celtics enter Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday night as 6.5-point home favorites despite being decimated on Friday in Dallas.
In Game 4, Dallas shot 50.5 percent from the field, 40.5 percent from 3-point land, and outrebounded the Celtics by 21.
Further, the Mavericks finally found success inside, scoring 60 of their 122 points in the paint.
The Celtics gave up their second-most points this postseason in Game 4 (122), only six points fewer than they allowed in an overtime game against Indiana.
Boston’s interior defense was completely nonexistent — not surprising since Kristaps Porzingis sat out with an injury.
Still, throughout the playoffs, we have seen plenty of games in which Boston has been physical at the point of attack and stayed in front of its opponent, not giving them a chance to get their feet in the paint.
Mavericks vs. Celtics Game 5 bet
The Celtics have also proven they are a top-tier rebounding team this season, ranking sixth in defensive rebounding percentage, so Game 4 should be viewed as an outlier.
That physicality and attention to detail on defense should return in Game 5 at home.
If this were the first or second time they had played without Porzingis, there would be more concern with potential adjustments and questions about their rotations.
But Boston has played most of this postseason without their center, winning 10 of 12 games in his absence.
Joe Mazzulla also has proven capable of making the necessary adjustments between games.
Betting on the NBA?
- Check out the best NBA betting sites
- Read our guide on how to bet on basketball
- Get the latest NBA Championship odds
- Use the North Carolina betting apps
No doubt, there has been an overreaction to Game 4’s beatdown, but that just gives us a better price entering Game 5.
THE PLAY: Celtics -6.5 (-112, DraftKings)