In a pivotal Game 4 with their season hanging by a thread, the Dallas Mavericks delivered a commanding performance, securing a victory that sends the NBA Finals back to Boston for Game 5 on Monday.
Key Highlights
- Start to Finish: Dallas opened the game strong and maintained their momentum throughout, ending with a 38-point victory.
- Luka Doncic: After fouling out of Game 3, Doncic led the Mavs with a stellar performance in Game 4.
- Defensive Masterclass: Dallas held the Celtics to a season-low 84 points.
- Behind the Scenes: Exclusive insights from our correspondents at Game 4.
- Game 4 Frames: A collection of our favorite photos from the intense match in Dallas.
Game 4 and Finals Schedule
The Finals now shift back to Boston for Game 5 on Monday night. Stay updated with the latest news and exclusive content on the NBA App throughout the weekend.
Trivia Time: Challenge yourself with today’s NBA Play: Expert Mode. Can you name the top five all-time leaders in Finals 3-pointers made?
1. Mavs Dominate from Start to Finish
In Game 3, Dallas started hot, building a 13-point lead before cooling off, allowing the Celtics to claw back. However, Game 4 was a different story. With their season on the line, Dallas maintained their intensity from start to finish, leading to a 122-84 victory, the third-highest margin of victory in Finals history.
Historical Context:
- Comeback Kings: Dallas is only the third team in 70 years to force a Game 5 after trailing 3-0 in the Finals, joining the 1996 Sonics and the 2017 Cavs.
- Streak Snappers: This win ended Boston’s 10-game playoff win streak and handed the Celtics their first road loss this postseason.
Key Performances:
- Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving: The dynamic duo combined to outscore the Celtics in both the first quarter (22-21) and the first half (36-35).
- Supporting Cast: The rest of the Mavs contributed significantly, shooting 57.1% in the first half, with Dereck Lively II hitting his first-ever NBA 3-pointer and securing a double-double (11 points, 12 rebounds).
Luka’s Leadership: Luka Doncic emphasized the team effort: “It’s big. It’s basketball. It’s five people on the floor. So that’s huge for us. Everybody played with a lot of energy. That’s how we got to do it. We got to think the same way in Game 5 in Boston.”
2. Luka Doncic’s Redemption
After fouling out in Game 3, Luka Doncic responded in Game 4 by scoring 29 points with 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals. Doncic set the tone early, scoring 13 points in the first quarter alone, leading Dallas to a 13-point lead.
Young History Maker:
- Third Youngest: Doncic (25 years, 107 days) became the third-youngest player to score 25+ points in the first half of a Finals game.
- Elite Company: Doncic joined LeBron James, Larry Bird, and Nikola Jokic as the only players to accumulate at least 600 points, 150 rebounds, and 150 assists in a single playoff run.
Coach Jason Kidd: “I thought he was great… I thought he played his game tonight. He didn’t force anything… We got to play faster. I thought he set the pace for us tonight.”
3. Defensive Prowess
The Celtics, boasting a season-high offensive rating, were held to a season-low 84 points by Dallas in Game 4. This defensive masterclass was led by rookie Dereck Lively II and Luka Doncic, who topped the defensive rating charts.
Defensive Highlights:
- Field Goal Defense: The Mavs limited the Celtics to 36.2% shooting, Boston’s lowest of the postseason.
- Interior Defense: Dallas dominated inside, holding Boston to 38.5% shooting from two-point range.
- Assists and Hustle: Boston managed only 18 assists and was held to a series-low in fast break points and offensive rebounds.
Coach Joe Mazzulla: “Their multiple efforts… every time we went in for a layup, they had multiple guys contest… They just did a great job flying around on the defensive end.”
4. All-Access Pass to Game 4
Exclusive Coverage: Warriors rookie Brandin Podziemski and Content Creator Jenna Bandy provided unique insights into the electrifying atmosphere of the Finals.
Fan Energy: The excitement in Dallas was palpable, with fans and players alike showing immense belief in their team.
Memorable Moments:
- Celebrity Sightings: Stars like Dirk Nowitzki, Joel Embiid, Kyler Murray, and Hailey Van Lith were spotted enjoying the game.
- Locker Room Vibes: Coach Kidd motivated the team with a rousing speech, urging them to pack for Boston.
- Game-Time Highlights: From Luka’s pregame trick shots to Jayson Tatum’s half-court hook shot, the energy was unmatched.
Dallas now heads to Boston, aiming to continue their historic comeback and force a Game 6. With momentum on their side, the Mavericks are determined to keep their championship hopes alive.
Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is based on the available data and current events around the time of publication, to the best of our staff research and knowledge. It is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice, financial advice, sports betting advice, or life advice. It is simply our best guess, something to add to your research. We at Las Vegas Top Picks do our best to get stories accurate, but sometimes mistakes and biases happen, and it is always good to double-check other sources and media outlets to confirm stories and factual details. The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the overall opinion of Las Vegas Top Picks.
