Luka Doncic led the Dallas Mavericks to a resounding 122-84 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, keeping their season alive. Doncic scored 25 of his 29 points in the first half, while Kyrie Irving added 21 points. The game was all Dallas from the beginning, with the Mavericks leading by as many as 38 points in the third quarter before both teams emptied their benches. The 38-point final margin was the third-largest in NBA Finals history.
Despite the win, the Celtics still hold a 3-1 series lead, with Game 5 set to take place in Boston. The loss ended Boston’s franchise-record 10-game postseason winning streak and prevented them from becoming the first team in NBA history to sweep both the conference finals and the finals in 4-0 victories. Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 15 points, while Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 15 points in the fourth quarter for the Mavericks. Dereck Lively II’s early 3-pointer set the tone for Dallas, and they never looked back.
The first half was a nightmare for the Celtics, as they scored a franchise-low 35 points and faced a 26-point halftime deficit. The halftime deficit was the Celtics’ second-largest of the season, and their largest ever in an NBA Finals game. Teams with a halftime lead of 23 or more points were 76-0 this season, making Dallas’ victory even more impressive. Doncic’s jersey number, 77, proved to be a fitting statistic for the undefeated record of teams with a large halftime lead.
The Mavericks put the game away early in the third quarter with a 15-7 run, extending their lead to 76-42. Boston’s hopes of a massive comeback were dashed, and their starters were pulled in the third quarter with Dallas leading 88-52. While the Mavericks face a steep climb to come back in the series, they succeeded in taking the first step with their dominant victory in Game 4. The Celtics will look to regroup and close out the series in Game 5 on their home court, while the Mavericks aim to continue their momentum and force a Game 6.
The Celtics’ historic loss marked a significant moment in NBA Finals history, with the 38-point margin being one of the largest in Finals history. Dallas’ strong performance in Game 4 showcased the talent and determination of Doncic, Irving, and the rest of the Mavericks roster. While the odds are against them, Dallas proved that they are not ready to go down without a fight, setting the stage for an exciting continuation of the series in Game 5. The Celtics will need to regroup and come out strong in Game 5 to avoid giving the Mavericks any further momentum in their quest to stay alive in the Finals.
