Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big storyline. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

Down 67-41 at the half, his message to the troops was simple.

“I said, ‘You have to play.’ You can’t start that way. You can’t start that way against anybody,” said Stevens. “You can’t start that way against the best offense in the league. They had it rolling and they had it moving, but it was like one team was playing five-on-0 in the first half. Then we got into the ball and tried to play a little bit more to our identity, and we played better. It’s easy to play when you’re down 26. It’s hard to play when you’re up 26.”

Herald: Celtics late push stalls

“I don’t want to make this the comeback of all comebacks, either. So I think we played much better, feel much better about how we played. It would have been a sickening feeling to get on the bus after two halves like that, but it doesn’t change that you can’t play like that.”

Globe: Celtics can’t complete comeback in Dallas

That first half was about as bad as a team could play.  Nine first QUARTER turnovers leading to 19 Mavs points is an abomination.  And the Celtics just let Chandler Parsons, et. al. go wherever and do whatever they wanted all half long.

And let’s not discount the Mavs role in this too. More from the Globe piece:

The Mavericks have been outscored a combined 135-88 in third periods this season. Coach Rick Carlisle lamented that deficiency before the game, and then watched as the Celtics mounted a furious rally in the third quarter.

So a third quarter collapse by the Mavs, especially after going up a million points against a bad team, wasn’t out of character.

The Celtics are going to struggle against good teams… that’s no shock.  The best offense in the NBA is going to execute and score against anyone, much less the Celtics and their lack of real interior defense.  And we’re even going to see more games where the Celtics get their doors blown off… that happens to most teams at some point of every season.  But to see the Celtics get crushed like that in consecutive games is inexcusable.

If this continues, I’d be prepared for some lineup changes.  The Celtics can’t throw Rondo, Bradley, and Smart out there together all the time, but a few early minutes without Kelly Olynyk on the floor might not be a bad idea.  Use Smart to ramp up the defensive pressure and make opponents uncomfortable.  I’ll even live with Jeff Green as the power forward defensively for the upgrade and suffocating perimeter defense.

I like Olynyk, and I think offensively he’s going to help the Celtics, but defensively… well, let’s just say he’ll have a tough time some nights.  I’d rather shore up the perimeter and prevent guys from getting into the lane than match up size-wise and watch Olynyk struggle in one-on-one matchups.

Marcus Smart had some takeover moments last night, and he’s quickly proving he deserves the minutes.  Considering how the team has started two of the first three games, it might be up to Stevens to figure out new ways to use him moving forward.

Related links:  MassLive:  Stevens can’t forget disastrous first half, 3 guard lineup continues to intrigue

Page 2:  Smart bought his mom a house

“She picked out an awesome place,” said Smart, who finished with 7 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists in 24 minutes and 36 seconds. “I love it. She did a good job. I got my own room, the whole upstairs is mine. It’s crazy. I looked at my mom and she was smiling from ear to ear. I just felt proud.”

There is a sense of pride in Smart, who endured a successful but rocky tenure at Oklahoma State before becoming the sixth overall pick in June’s draft. His mother attended the Celtics’ draft press conference and gushed about her son.

“It’s probably one of the biggest accomplishments as a young man, give your mom what she always wanted and to take care of her,” Smart said. “She’s taken care of you all those years and make her happy. It’s a blessing.”

Globe: Marcus Smart appreciates homecoming

Marcus Smart hasn’t had the smoothest life so far, but he, thanks in large part to his mom, persevered and is now reaping the rewards.  This is a really nice story, and I’m glad this kid is getting a chance to help her out and live his dream.

Related links:  Boston.com:  Smart fulfills childhood promise, buys mom a house  |  MassLive:  Smart considers homecoming a success

And Finally…

LOS ANGELES — Chris Paul stole defensive rebounds from his own big men, the Clippers got 39 points from their bench and it was all too much for the young Utah Jazz.

The Clippers won 107-101 on Monday night after blowing much of a 15-point lead and went 3-1 playing four games in five nights to start the season.

Paul notched the NBA’s first triple-double of the season and his first with the Clippers, finishing with 13 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds. He showed no ill effects after spraining his left foot a night earlier.

ESPN 

This is Chris Paul’s 4th season with the Clippers.  This is his first triple-double there.  He’s had two other games double-double games with 9 rebounds, two with 8 rebounds, and eight with 7 rebounds. And he’s lost in the second round twice since going there.

I’m just sayin’.

The rest of the links:

Herald:  Carlisle remains a big fan of Green  |  Cuban’s a bad influence for tanking teams  | CSNNE:  Highlights- Mavs 118-Celtics 113  |  Stars, studs, duds: Bradley, Green make big impact  |  Bradley’s defense sparks offense  |  ESPN Boston:  Defense will dictate C’s success  |  Rally comes up short  |  Boston.com:  Smart shows off Bird-like passing ability  |  The only think you need to know about the loss to Mavericks  |  WEEI:  5 things we learned during failed comeback  |  MassLive: Video:  Smart’s ridiculous behind the back pass  |  NESN:  Green, Bradley most potent duo since Ray Allen era  |  Smart compiles personal highlight reel