In a do-or-die Game 4 of the NBA Finals, the Dallas Mavericks faced a critical choice: pack for a trip to Boston, or pack for an early vacation. Thanks to a historic performance, Boston awaits as these NBA Finals are far from over. The Mavericks, led by Luka Doncic’s 29 points, decisively avoided a sweep, crushing the Boston Celtics 122-84 on Friday night.
Doncic was sensational from the start, scoring 25 of his points in the first half and setting the tone for what would become one of the largest blowouts in NBA Finals history. Kyrie Irving provided ample support, adding 21 points to the Mavericks’ tally, ensuring that Dallas’s season continued.
The 38-point margin of victory ranks as the third-largest in NBA Finals history. Only the Chicago Bulls’ 96-54 win over the Utah Jazz in 1998 and the Celtics’ 131-92 demolition of the Los Angeles Lakers in 2008 stand ahead of this commanding performance by the Mavericks.
From the opening tip-off, it was clear that Dallas was playing with urgency and determination. By the end of the first quarter, the Mavericks had built a 13-point lead. This advantage ballooned to 26 points by halftime, driven by Doncic’s early scoring spree. The third quarter saw Dallas extend their lead to as much as 38 points, effectively putting the game out of reach and allowing both teams to rest their starters in the fourth quarter.
The Celtics, with 17 championships to their name, are no strangers to the pressures of the NBA Finals. However, this game marked their worst loss in Finals history, surpassing their 137-104 defeat to the Lakers in 1984. The Mavericks’ 48-point lead in the fourth quarter was the largest deficit Boston has faced all season, highlighting the dominance of Dallas on this crucial night.
Despite this lopsided result, the Celtics still hold a 3-1 lead in the series. Game 5 will take place in Boston on Monday, where the Celtics will look to close out the series on their home court. However, the Mavericks’ resounding victory in Game 4 has undoubtedly shifted some momentum their way, providing hope that they can continue to extend the series and possibly stage an historic comeback.
Doncic’s 29 points, with 25 coming in the first half, were instrumental in setting the tone for the Mavericks. His early dominance allowed Dallas to build a significant lead and maintain control throughout the game. Irving’s 21 points provided crucial support, ensuring that the offensive load was shared and that the Celtics’ defense was constantly under pressure.
Game 4 was a statement win for the Dallas Mavericks, demonstrating their resilience and capability to compete at the highest level. While the Celtics still have a commanding series lead, the Mavericks’ performance serves as a reminder that anything can happen in the NBA Finals. As the series shifts back to Boston, all eyes will be on Game 5 to see if Dallas can continue their fight or if the Celtics will secure their 18th championship title.
