The Dallas Mavericks might still be down 3-1, but they made a very convincing argument to not count them out of the NBA Finals on Friday.
Over the course of 48 minutes, the Mavericks delivered one of the most unholy beatdowns in NBA playoff history with a 122-84 win over the Celtics, emphatically forcing a Game 5 in Boston on Monday at 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC).
The Celtics might have three tries to put away Dallas, but they have clearly have plenty to figure out if they want to celebrate an NBA record 18th championship. In fact, this game was so one-sided, the Mavericks have now outscored them across all four games of the series.
There was no shortage of history made during the game. The 38-point margin is the third-largest blowout in Finals history, with the lead peaking at 47 points. The Celtics’ 35 points at halftime were the fewest they’ve 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 short then watching their reserves, such as Tim Hardaway Jr., continue the carnage.
It still counts as only win, though. The Celtics will enter Game 5 with home-court advantage, more rest than expected and, potentially, a healthy Kristaps Porzingis. The Latvian big man didn’t play a minute in Game 4 despite being reported as available “if necessary,” and his presence alone would represent an easy adjustment for Boston to make.
Here’s how it all went down:
Live56 updates
Mavs wallop Celtics, 122-84
And that’s it, Dallas wins Game 4, 122-84, with Game 5 back in Boston on Monday with the Celtics leading the series 3-1. It’s the third-largest margin of victory in NBA Finals history.
Tim Hardaway Jr. coming alive
With the game decided, Tim Hardaway Jr. has hit five 3s with 2:47 left in the contest. Something 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 just like us — sitting back and watching the rest of the game.
NBA Finals garbage time
And just under two minutes later, just after launching a wedgie, Luka checks out, too. Kyrie and Lively join him with the Mavs up by 35. Let’s all settle in for 14 minutes of NBA Finals garbage time!
Celtics put up the white flag
Boston is emptying its bench with 3:18 to play in the third. Oshae Brisset, Luke Kornet, Svi Mykhailiuk join Hauser and Pritchard. This one is going back to Boston, folks.
Have the Mavs found something?
Dallas has enjoyed a ton of success tonight with this Luka-Kyrie-Josh Green-Maxi-Lively lineup. Two bigs, Green’s hyperactivity getting downhill, switchable defense. Lot of utility out of this unit on both ends.
Lively on the boards
Dereck Lively II’s seven offensive rebounds tonight are the most the Celtics have given up to any player in this postseason, and one off the season-high against Boston (eight, set by the Hornets’ Mark Williams in November and tied by Detroit’s Jalen Duren in December).
Do we believe?
“Don’t Stop Believin’” playing in the AAC. Perhaps symbolic, perhaps, a reminder to everyone … there’s no such thing as South Detroit. Because that’s Canada.
Not Boston’s night
The Celtics are 7-for-21 in the paint in Game 4, including a ghastly 1-for-12 from floater range. Some of the credit belongs to the Mavericks’ defense there, but man, that is some dismal finishing.
No KP
Porzingis, as some expected, is not currently on Boston’s bench after he didn’t see a second of playing time in the first half.
Luka adjusting his game
Luka has figured out how to let the offense work for him as opposed to him creating everything. He’s attacking the closeout, using his body and getting downhill.
32 points.
That’s the most the Celtics have been down by in any game this playoffs.
What a start to the third quarter from Daniel Gafford. He just swatted Tatum’s step-back 3 atteafter finishing a lob from Luka, operating in the post and connecting from the line.
Boston still disjointed
For (at least) the second time tonight, Jrue Holiday passes out of a layup to kick the ball out to the corner; it ends in a drive, a contest at the rim and a missed shot that got Dallas out in transition. One long and loud Daniel Gafford lob later, the lead is 29 — 67-38 Mavs.
Is that bad?
For Boston, 35 points is the lowest single-half scoring effort from the Celtics all season.
Mavs lead 61-35 at halftime
Fantastic play to close the quarter by Dallas: As Luka drove into the paint, Maxi Kleber cut from under the rim into the right corner around a baseline screen. Luka, airborne and about to let his floater go, saw him and flung a wild pass to Kleber in the corner. Kleber comes off the screen clean, catches and cashes out. Perfect end to a damn-near-perfect half for the Mavs, who lead 61-35 at intermission.
Maxi Kleber sighting
Quite a time for Maxi Kleber to convert. It’s a corner 3-pointer right before the end of the first half to keep Dallas’ advantage at 26 entering the break. He has been so hesitant and resistant to shoot all series, but with the clock winding down, he had no other option but to launch.
