P.J. Washington admitted Mavericks let Celtics' crowd 'get to us'

Washington cited the TD Garden crowd, the officiating, and the Celtics’ early shot-making as factors that left Dallas rattled.

Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and P.J. Washington during the Mavericks’ Game 1 NBA Finals loss to the Celtics. Adam Glanzman/Getty Images

P.J. Washington’s thought on Mavericks’ Game 1 struggles: After an extended gap between the Eastern Conference Finals and NBA Finals, it would not have been surprising if the Celtics began Game 1 on Thursday night a little tentatively.

Instead, Boston was inspired by a loud TD Garden crowd, as well as the return of center Kristaps Porzingis, charging to a massive first-half lead en route to a 107-89 Game 1 win. The Mavericks made a brief comeback attempt in the third quarter, but was largely unable to respond to Boston’s barrage of three-point shooting and smothering defense.

Dallas forward P.J. Washington was arguably one of the only members of the Mavericks to not be overwhelmed by the moment, totaling 14 points (two more than Kyrie Irving), and eight rebounds.

And while Irving downplayed the Celtics’ crowd, Washington acknowledged that it might have played a factor in the Mavericks’ struggles.

“We just have to stay connected, stay together,” Washington told reporters about the Dallas response heading into Game 2 on Sunday. “I felt like we let the crowd get to us a little bit, let the refs get to us, let them making shots get to us.

“But at the end of the day, we just have to stick together and be ourselves,” he added. “We are a great team. They are a great team at the end of the day. We’re alright. It’s only one game. We’ll be better and we’ll be better for Game 2.”

Testament to the Game 1 mismatch was a comparative stat: Dallas finished the night with as many team assists as the Celtics had blocks (nine).

The Mavericks’ shooting also struggled, though Washington was less concerned.

“I don’t really think the offense was our problem tonight,” Washington said. “I think they hit a bunch of 3s that we need to do a better job of contesting. Had a bunch of offensive rebounds that led to second-chance points. That’s what we need to focus on. Offense will come. We are good enough to score. So not really worried about that side of the ball.”

Still, Dallas made just 7-of-27 shots from three-point range (25.9 percent). If Game 2 is to end any differently, Washington and the rest of the Mavericks will have to be more efficient shooting the basketball, regardless of the TD Garden crowd.

Trivia: Per ESPN, Kristaps Porzingis is the first player in 40 years to come off the bench in an NBA Finals game and record at least 20 points and three blocks. Who was the last player to achieve the feat?

(Answer at the bottom).

Hint: A two-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year, he did it vs. the Lakers in 1984.

Scores and schedules:

The Celtics dominated Game 1 of the NBA Finals in a 107-89 win over the Mavericks at TD Garden. Game 2 gets underway in Boston on Sunday at 8:30 p.m.

The Red Sox also got a win on Thursday, defeating the White Sox 14-2. Boston and Chicago play again tonight at 8:10 p.m.

More from Boston.com:

The Celtics’ tribute to Bill Walton prior to Game 1: Boston wore shooting shirts that were an homage to Walton, and honored his family (who were in attendance).