DALLAS MAVERICKS KEEP SERIES ALIVE IN STYLE

The Boston Celtics traveled to Texas aiming to complete a clean sweep in the NBA Finals, but instead, they suffered a crushing defeat as the Dallas Mavericks delivered one of the most decisive playoff victories in history during Game 4.

Luka Doncic led the charge with 29 points as the Mavericks surged to a 122-84 win, setting the stage for a Game 5 showdown in Boston on Monday. Mavericks coach Jason Kidd remarked, “We were really determined.”

The Dallas Mavericks kept their slim chances for the NBA Championship alive with a remarkable 122-84 victory in Game 4, inspired by Luka Doncic’s outstanding performance. Doncic’s 29-point contribution, including 25 points in the first half setting a franchise record, propelled the Mavericks to reduce the series deficit to 3-1, forcing a fifth game in Boston on Monday.

This impressive 38-point winning margin ranks as the third-largest blowout in NBA Finals history, trailing only the Chicago Bulls’ 96-54 win over the Utah Jazz in 1998 and the Celtics’ 131-92 victory against the Los Angeles Lakers in 2008.

Mavericks coach Jason Kidd emphasized the straightforward approach to their success, stating, “It’s real simple. We don’t have to complicate this. This isn’t surgery.” He praised the team’s readiness and desperation, highlighting their resilience against the Celtics’ attempts to close the series.

Kyrie Irving showcased his prowess with 21 points, while Dereck Lively II had an impressive double-double of 11 points and 12 rebounds. Tim Hardaway Jr. also had a standout performance, scoring 15 points in the fourth quarter alone.

Lively’s night started strong with his career-first three-pointer in the first quarter, making him the youngest player in NBA Finals history to achieve a double-double at just 20 years old. Additionally, he holds the distinction of being the only rookie in NBA Finals history with a +20 points differential.

Despite these achievements, Dallas faces a monumental task to mount a comeback from a 3-0 deficit, as no team has ever achieved this in NBA playoff history. However, four teams have managed to force a Game 7 under similar circumstances, indicating that anything is possible in the playoffs.

It was indeed a disappointing night for the Celtics, as they found themselves trailing right from the beginning. Falling behind by 13 points by the end of the first quarter, the deficit continued to widen to 26 by halftime and a staggering 48 at its peak in the fourth quarter. This loss marked the Celtics’ worst defeat in Finals history.

Coach Joe Mazzulla expressed surprise at the outcome, especially considering his team’s strong start to the series and a 10-game winning streak in the postseason. He emphasized that despite thorough preparation and a positive mindset going into the game, Dallas simply outplayed them with a higher level of intensity and effort.