Despite the Maverick’s late-game heroics to make it close, they fell short 106-99 to the Boston Celtics. The Celtics took a commanding 3-0 lead, leaving the Mavericks with many questions.
The Mavericks started with an explosive 25-12 lead with less than 5 minutes in the first, but Boston clawed back, leaving the Mavericks with a mere 1-point lead heading into the second. The Celtics responded with an explosive second half being nearly flawless to start the third quarter and get a 21-point lead. The Mavericks however were still in it as they got a 22-2 run but Boston finished it with the help of Luka fouling out and won the game by 7.
The Mavericks coming off a historically tough path to the finals beating 3 50+ win teams including the Clippers, Thunder, and Timberwolves. On the other hand, the Celtic’s path was relatively easy beating the Heat without Jimmy Butler for the series, the Cavaliers without Donovan Mitchell for the last two games, and the Pacers without Tyrese Haliburton for two games.
The Celtics have outmanned every team they have played, and the Mavericks are no exception. Tatum, Brown, and White dominate the court and that’s without Holiday being the threat he has been all series. The Celtics have the best starting 5 in the league even without Porzingis and it isn’t close. The Mavericks can’t compete with the depth and scoring ability each Celtics player has. All of them are capable of dropping 20 on any given night. Jayson Tatum also played great scoring 31 points. For the Mavericks, Jason Kidd put 11 guys out there in a desperate attempt to gain momentum from the bench which has been struggling all series. Kyrie Irving showed up however dropping 35 points shooting 4/6 from three. The Mavericks also weren’t disciplined enough in the clutch with Luka Doncic fouling out and lots of unnecessary fouls committed by the Mavs especially when Boston got a rebound. The questions involving depth and ability for the role players to come up big when it matters most still are in play especially now that they are down 3-0. If the role players for the Mavs can’t make threes down the stretch then the Celtics will claim their 18th ring and have the most in the NBA.
Delivered by Ishan Parikh
