Desperate Mavericks Dominate
Facing a 0-3 deficit, the Mavericks showcased their determination in Game 4 at home. Luka Doncic led the charge with 25 points in the first half, pushing the lead to 26 points. In the second half, the Celtics crumbled further, turning the fourth quarter into garbage time. Ultimately, the Mavericks triumphed 122-84, avoiding a sweep.
Celtics’ Winning Streak Ends
The Celtics, who had been on a 10-game playoff winning streak, fell short and suffered their first road loss in this postseason. Kyrie Irving also ended his 13-game losing streak against his former team. The Mavericks’ 38-point victory marked the third-largest margin in NBA Finals history.
Doncic’s Redemption
After fouling out in Game 3, Doncic returned with a vengeance. He scored 25 points in the first half, breaking Dirk Nowitzki’s franchise record for most points in a Finals half. The Mavericks’ 26-point halftime lead was the fourth-largest in Finals history. Doncic finished with 29 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals despite missing all eight of his three-point attempts.
Strong Team Performance
Irving added 21 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds. Tim Hardaway Jr. found his groove, hitting 5 of 6 from three-point range to score 15 points. Rookies Dereck Lively II and Dante Exum also scored in double figures. The Mavericks shot over 50% from the field and over 40% from three, consistently outplaying the Celtics.
Celtics’ Struggles
The Celtics scored a season-low 35 points in the first half, their lowest under Coach Joe Mazzulla. In the second quarter, they shot a dismal 18.8%, making only 3 of 16 attempts. This poor performance continued into the second half, with the deficit growing insurmountable.
Star Players’ Poor Performances
As the deficit exceeded 30 points in the third quarter, the Celtics’ starters were benched. Jayson Tatum scored 15 points with 5 rebounds, and Jaylen Brown managed just 10 points. Combined, they shot 7 of 22 from the field and 2 of 9 from three-point range. Jrue Holiday scored 10 points but had 5 turnovers, while bench player Sam Hauser added 14 points.
Looking Ahead to Game 5
With the series extended, the next game will be in Boston. The Celtics will aim to rebound and secure their 18th championship title on home court, while the Mavericks seek to continue their comeback. (Panalo999)