In an impressive turnaround, Luka Doncic led the Dallas Mavericks to a crucial 122-84 victory over the Boston Celtics to avoid being swept in the NBA Finals. Doncic scored 29 points, with Kyrie Irving adding 21, as the Mavericks ended the Celtics’ 10-game playoff winning streak and secured the third-largest win in Finals history.
Despite this win, the Mavericks still face an uphill battle as they attempt to become the first team to overcome a 3-0 deficit and win an NBA playoff series. Game five will be held in Boston, where the Mavericks will continue to fight to keep their championship hopes alive.
Doncic credited the team’s high energy and defensive focus for their successful performance in game four. The Mavericks established a commanding lead early in the game, with a 34-21 advantage after the first quarter. By halftime, they were up 61-35, and they continued to dominate defensively throughout the game.
The pair of Doncic and Irving were instrumental in building the Mavericks’ lead, with contributions from Tim Hardaway Jr. off the bench and rookie Dereck Lively II. Boston’s Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown struggled to make an impact, scoring only 15 and 10 points respectively in their team’s worst loss in Finals history.
Despite the defeat, Boston coach Joe Mazzulla acknowledged the Mavericks’ strong performance and recognized them as a formidable team. Both teams are now looking ahead to game five, where the Celtics will have another opportunity to secure their 18th NBA title and surpass the Los Angeles Lakers in total championship victories.