The Dallas Mavericks may still be down 3-1, but they made a very compelling argument Friday night not to exclude them from the NBA Finals.
In 48 minutes, the Mavericks delivered one of the most ungodly defeats in NBA playoff history with a 122-84 victory over the Celtics, emphatically forcing a Game 5 in Boston on Monday at 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC).
The Celtics may have three tries to hold off Dallas, but they clearly have a lot of work to do if they want to celebrate a record 18th NBA championship. In fact, this game was so one-sided that the Mavericks have now dominated them in all four games of the series.
There was no shortage of history made during the match. The 38-point gap was the third-largest blowout in Finals history, with the lead peaking at 47 points. The Celtics’ 35 points at halftime were the fewest they had scored in a half under head coach Joe Mazzulla. Luka Dončić’s 25 points at halftime were the most ever by a Maverick in a Finals half.
The game was so over in the third quarter that the Celtics pulled their starters, with the Mavericks soon following suit, and then their reserves, like Tim Hardaway Jr., continuing the carnage.
However, this still only counts as one win. The Celtics will enter Game 5 with home-court advantage, more rest than expected and, potentially, an available Kristaps Porziņģis. The Latvian big man didn’t play a single minute in Game 4 despite reportedly being available “if needed,” and his presence alone would represent an easy adjustment for Boston to make.
Dončić finished with 29 points on 12-of-26 shooting and added five rebounds, five assists and three steals. Kyrie Irving had 21 points on 10-of-18 shooting with six assists and four rebounds.
Here’s how it all went:
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Mavs beat Celtics, 122-84
And there it is, Dallas wins game four, 122-84, with game five back in Boston on Monday, with the Celtics leading the series 3-1. This is the third-largest margin of victory in NBA Finals history.
Tim Hardaway Jr. comes to life
With the game decided, Tim Hardaway Jr. hit five 3s with 2:47 left in the contest. Anything to build on for Game 5?
Mavs up 92-60 after 3 quarters
After three quarters, the Mavs lead 92-60 and the starters will be like us: sitting and watching the rest of the game.
NBA Finals trash time
And a little less than two minutes later, right after throwing a wedgie, Luka checks out too. Kyrie and Lively join him with the Mavs up 35. Let’s all settle in for 14 minutes of NBA Finals garbage time!
The Celtics fly the white flag
Boston empties its bench with 3:18 left in the third. Oshae Brisset, Luke Kornet and Svi Mykhailiuk join Hauser and Pritchard. This one’s going back to Boston, folks.
Have the Mavs found something?
Dallas had a lot of success tonight with this Luka-Kyrie-Josh Green-Maxi-Lively formation. Two big points, Green’s hyperactivity down, switchable defense. Lots of utility from this unit on both ends.
Lively on the stage
Derek Lively II’s seven offensive rebounds tonight are the most the Celtics have given up to a player in the postseason, and one off the season record against Boston (eight, set by the Hornets’ Mark Williams in November and tied by Jalen Duren of Detroit in December).
Do we believe?
“Don’t Stop Believin'” plays in the AAC. Perhaps symbolic, perhaps, a reminder to everyone…there is no such thing as South Detroit. Because it’s Canada.
Not Boston Night
The Celtics are 7 of 21 in the paint in Game 4, including a horrible 1 of 12 from the floater range. Some credit goes to the Mavericks defense there, but man, that was a dismal finish.
No PC
Porzingis, as some expected, is not currently on Boston’s bench after not seeing a second of playing time in the first half.
Luka adjusts his game
Luka has figured out how to let the offense work for him rather than creating everything. He attacks the fence, uses his body and goes down.
32 points.
This is the most the Celtics have lost in a game this postseason.
What a start to the third quarter from Daniel Gafford. He just crushed Tatum’s stepback 3 times after finishing off a Luka lob, operating in the post and connecting from the line.
Boston still disjointed
For (at least) the second time tonight, Jrue Holiday comes out of a layup to send the ball into the corner; it ends with a drive, a fight at the rim and a missed shot that took Dallas out in transition. A long, loud lob from Daniel Gafford later, the lead is 29 — 67-38 Mavs.
Is it bad?
For Boston, 35 points is the Celtics’ lowest score in a single half all season.
Mavs lead 61-35 at halftime
Fantastic play to close the quarter by Dallas: As Luka entered the paint, Maxi Kleber cut under the rim in the right corner around a baseline screen. Luka, in the air and about to release his floater, saw it and threw a wild pass to Kleber in the corner. Kleber comes clean off the screen, catches and takes it. Perfect end to a damn near perfect half for the Mavs, who lead 61-35 at intermission.
Observation of Maxi Kléber
A hell of a time for Maxi Kleber to reconvert. It was a corner 3-pointer just before the end of the first half to keep Dallas’ advantage at 26 entering the break. He was very hesitant and resistant to the idea of shooting all the series, but as time passed, he had no choice but to go for it.
