Kyrie Irving dazzles in Dallas
If you have a double digit lead against the Celtics and you think you’re safe to hit cruise control, you should really consider your options before following through with that choice. On Monday night, Boston once again found themselves down by double digits late in the game, but found a way to will themselves to victory.
The Mavericks held a 13 point lead midway into the final frame and the prospects of winning on the road in Dallas looked grim. However, much like he’s done all season, Kyrie Irving made a fool out of doubters and put the team on his back.
With his ball-handling wizardry and otherworldly playmaking, he brought the Celtics back from their deficit and forced an extra period. In overtime, Irving absolutely balled out and dropped 10 of his season-high 47 points as Boston beat the Mavs 110-102.
The Celtics steamrolled Dallas in extra time and extended their incredible win streak to 16 games. Uncle Drew continued to prove he can thrive without LeBron and added another chapter to the growing collection of legendary masked performances by NBA stars.
Whether he’s draining clutch buckets or making the right play down the stretch, Irving has looked every part of the player he promised he could be when he demanded a trade from Cleveland this summer. With drastically different starts to their year, it’s fair to wonder whether The King needed Kyrie more than Kyrie needed him.
Using the eye test alone, it’s easy to see that Boston’s new man in charge has been the most clutch player in the NBA this season. But just how true is that assumption?
Well, if the game tape wasn’t enough to prove that, then just let the numbers do the talking. In games within five points in the final five minutes, Irving has scored 65 points on 24-39 shooting, handed out 10 assists, and committed a grand total of zero turnovers.
So just how clutch is Kyrie Irving? Again, I’ll let his numbers speak for themselves, but do you really want another player with the ball in their hands with the game on the line? I didn’t think so.
