Mavericks avoid sweep with dominant victory, force NBA Finals back to Boston
The Dallas Mavericks made a resounding statement on Friday night, refusing to be written off in the NBA Finals. Behind stellar performances from Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving, the Mavericks routed the Boston Celtics 122-84 in Game 4, fending off elimination and narrowing the series gap to 3-1.
Luka Dončić was the star of the night, scoring 25 of his 29 points in the first half. Kyrie Irving added 21 points, fueling the Mavericks’ dominant performance. The game was effectively decided by the end of the third quarter, with Dallas leading by as many as 38 points.
The 38-point margin was the third-largest in NBA Finals history, trailing only Chicago’s 96-54 victory over Utah in 1998 and the Celtics’ 131-92 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in 2008. Dallas led by 13 points after the first quarter, extended their lead to 26 by halftime, and maintained control throughout the game.
The loss snapped the Celtics’ 10-game postseason winning streak, which was the longest in franchise history. It also dashed their hopes of becoming the first team in NBA history to sweep both the conference finals and the NBA Finals. Boston’s last defeat occurred over five weeks ago, making this loss a significant setback.
Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 15 points, while Sam Hauser contributed 14 points. Jaylen Brown and Jrue Holiday each added 10 points, but their efforts were insufficient against the Mavericks’ onslaught.
For Dallas, Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 15 points, all in the fourth quarter, and Dereck Lively II had a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds. The Mavericks’ balanced attack and relentless defense were key in securing the win.
Despite the commanding win, the Mavericks still face a daunting challenge, trailing 3-1 in the series. Game 5 is set to take place in Boston on Monday, where the Celtics will have the opportunity to close out the series on their home court.
The Dallas Mavericks’ emphatic victory in Game 4 demonstrated their resilience and determination to stay in the fight. While they remain down in the series, their performance on Friday night proved they are far from finished. As the series shifts back to Boston, the stage is set for what promises to be another thrilling showdown.