Did Celtics Lose on Purpose? Mark Jackson Debates Whether Luka Magic Really Gave Mavs New Life

After all the criticism thrown at the Dallas Mavericks, they won 122-84, with a 38-point lead. It’s the highest in 50 years! Even Boston Celtics star Jrue Holiday had plenty of praise for the Mavs. “I think they came out desperate, and I think they punched us in the mouth and we couldn’t kind of recover the way we wanted to.” The performance was so breathtaking that even the esteemed analyst had to chew their words.

Mark Jackson on his show was impressed by the way the Dallas Mavericks responded. According to him, Jason Kidd set the tone in his pregame speech. Plus also appreciated Kidd for setting the tone even in the practice and the film sessions building up to game 4. And just like everybody he had a question if the Mavs would be able to build on it. The former Warriors coach also shared a question that his friend, asked which might again echo with the majority of the crowds.

“He’s not a basketball expert, he has no clue, so he said to me, ‘you think it makes sense for the Celtics to lose on purpose and win a championship in Boston?’ I’m like that is the dumbest thing that you could possibly ask me.” Jackson, who has been in 3-0 situation explained how difficult it is to win in the NBA and nobody would surrender a game or even a quarter.

But unfortunately for the Celtics, ‘individually and collectively, Mavs got life’. “because you give guys life, you give teams life.” So the Boston Celtics didn’t give this game away, Dallas Mavericks with their execution and their adjustments took the game and made a huge statement. Thanks in huge part to Luka Doncic.

Luka Doncic finished the game with a game-high score of 29 points. While making 12 of 29 field goals, he also added 5 rebounds and assists each. Luka Magic definitely worked for the Mavs. Jackson also gave a shoutout to the entire team for stepping up in the do-or-die game. “when this Maverick team is at their best everybody’s involved and everybody’s making plays and they got it going defensively and offensively it was a thing of beauty.”

Mavs’ staggering stir of the series has quite a few impressed. But the heat towards the Celtics is equally felt.

Charles Barkley slams the Celtics

Charles Barkley said after the game 4 on NBATV, “I’m not going to give any diss to the Mavs. Congratulations, good win!” But he also had scathing remarks for the Celtics. He called their performance ’embarassing’. Following this, Barkley went on to predict Mavs in 7.

Chuck, who has hopes for the Celtics, went on to add, “They (Celtics) came out nonchalant and lackadaisical. … But, if you’re the Celtics, Obviously, I still feel very good about them winning the series. But that was so unprofessional. The way they played that game tonight.”

The home team had the Celtics limited to 21 points in the first quarter. They carried the momentum further to maintain a 26-point lead by at halftime. By limiting the Celtics to below 100 points for the first time since their matchup against the Cavaliers in May, the Mavericks certainly brought out a unique display of defensive prowess during the matchup.

Doncic, who has been under scrutiny for his defense and faouls, kept his cool this time, and it certainly paid off. For Game 5, he and his team will be returning back to play in the presence of Boston fans. It thus, remains to be seen whether the player will manage to keep his cool amidst the opposition crowd and bring the Mavericks’ win record to 2-3 against the Celtics.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, had to say about the Reese-Clark rivalry and more, watch this video.