The Dallas Mavericks found themselves in a tough position in the NBA Finals, down 3-0 against the Boston Celtics. Historically, no team in this situation had ever been able to come back and win the series. However, the Mavericks were determined to salvage a sweep in front of their home crowd in Game 4. They were able to achieve this goal, defeating the Celtics with a decisive 122-84 victory, marking the third-largest margin of victory in Finals history. The Mavericks got off to a strong start, outscoring the Celtics in both the first and second quarters, with Boston posting their lowest first-half points total of the season.
The Mavericks showed impressive shooting efficiency in the first half, hitting 52.3% of their shots, while the Celtics struggled with just a 29.7% shooting percentage. Luka Dončić led the charge for Dallas, scoring 25 points in the first half almost singlehandedly outscoring the Celtics himself. While Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown had respectable performances for the Celtics, the supporting cast failed to provide much-needed help. The Mavericks maintained their momentum in the third quarter, going on a 29-17 run to extend their lead to 38 points, their largest of the night. Both teams eventually switched to their bench players as the game was well in hand for Dallas.
In the second half, Tatum failed to score any points, and Brown only added two more to his total. Despite scoring only four points in the second half, Dončić’s strong performance in the first half had already set the tone for the game. After the final buzzer, Dončić expressed confidence in his team, stating that they believed they could overcome the deficit. Looking ahead to Game 5 in Boston, the Mavericks were determined to continue their winning ways and extend the series. The Celtics, on the other hand, would need to regroup and come up with a game plan to avoid being eliminated on their home court.
The victory in Game 4 was a significant accomplishment for the Mavericks, as they became the 157th NBA team to face a 3-0 deficit in a series. Despite the daunting odds, they were able to break the pattern of previous teams and secure a win, giving themselves a chance to fight for the championship. Dončić’s stellar performance was a key factor in the Mavericks’ success, showcasing his talent and leadership on the court. As the series shifted back to Boston for Game 5, both teams would be under pressure to perform at their best, with the Mavericks seeking to continue their winning streak and the Celtics looking to stage a comeback and stay alive in the Finals.
The game highlighted the importance of strong team performance, with the Mavericks executing a solid game plan and getting contributions from multiple players. The Celtics, on the other hand, struggled to find their rhythm and were unable to match the Mavericks’ intensity and efficiency. Dončić’s resilience and determination were evident throughout the game, as he brushed off criticism from the previous game and focused on leading his team to victory. With the series on the line, both teams would need to bring their A-game in the upcoming matchups to determine the ultimate winner of the NBA Finals.
