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It was a close call, but the Boston Celtics won their eighth straight game on Monday night vs. the Dallas Mavericks by a score of 116-106 to improve to 8-1 on the season.
Here are three instant overreactions from the win:
1. Kemba Walker's takeover was the first of many with Celtics.
Verdict: Not an overreaction
Walker let Jaylen Brown take center stage in the first half, but he took over when it mattered most.
The Celtics' new star point guard went off for 24 second-half points (29 total) to propel Boston to victory in crunch time. Walker went 9-of-17 from the field and 8-of-14 from 3-point range in the statement win.
Get ready to see plenty more of this, C's fans.
2. Jayson Tatum's shooting is a concern.
Verdict: Overreaction
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Unlike Walker, it simply was not Tatum's night. The 21-year-old was a woeful 1-for-18 from the field vs. Dallas, totaling only five points.
But outside of this one dreadful performance, Tatum has been one of the more consistent offensive players for the Celtics to begin the year. Boston needs him to step up with Hayward out of commission for the next six weeks, and there's no reason to believe he won't. He'll be just fine.
3. Luka Doncic is a legitimate MVP candidate.
Verdict: Not an overreaction
Doncic dropped 34 points with nine assists and six rebounds to continue the exceptional start to his sophomore campaign.
When you think "MVP candidate," guys like Giannis Antetokounmpo, James Harden, LeBron James or Anthony Davis probably are the first to come to mind. But if the 2019 NBA Rookie of the Year can keep up this pace, he'll undoubtedly work his way into the MVP conversation. The 20-year-old Doncic is a joy to watch.
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