Celtics Edge Mavericks in Game 3, 106-99
The Boston Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks, 106-99, at American Airlines Center in Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday night. The Celtics lead the series, 3-0.
The Celtics (15-2 postseason) undoubtedly could see the odds stacked against them coming into the night, considering Kristaps Porzingis was ruled out with his leg injury and there would undoubtedly be a raucous crowd making matters especially difficult, especially if the Mavericks (12-8 postseason) got off to a fast start. That's exactly what would transpire early, with Dallas building an early 22-9 lead with 5:48 remaining in the first quarter. However, Boston progressively chipped away and then blew past its hosts over the next two and a half quarters, with the high point coming in the form of a 91-70 advantage with 11:07 remaining in regulation. The Mavericks would then turn the tables in dramatic fashion, getting as close as one point and then still trailing by just two with 1:20 remaining despite Luka Doncic having fouled out by that point. However, a pair of subsequent free throws apiece from Derrick White and Jayson Tatum would seal the extremely hard-fought win for Joe Mazzulla's club, leaving them just a game shy of their 18th NBA championship.
Tatum led the Celtics with 31 points, adding six rebounds, five assists and one steal. Jaylen Brown furnished 30 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and one block. White supplied 16 points, five rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Jrue Holiday and Sam Hauser contributed matching nine-point tallies while recording four and three rebounds, respectively. Holiday also dished out five assists.
Kyrie Irving paced the Mavericks with 35 points, supplementing them with three rebounds and two assists. Doncic finished with 27 points, six rebounds, six assists and one steal. P.J. Washington registered 13 points, eight rebounds and two assists. Dereck Lively generated a 11-point, 13-rebound double-double that included one assist and two steals.
A potential series-ending Game 4 will take place Friday night at American Airlines Center.
The Celtics (15-2 postseason) undoubtedly could see the odds stacked against them coming into the night, considering Kristaps Porzingis was ruled out with his leg injury and there would undoubtedly be a raucous crowd making matters especially difficult, especially if the Mavericks (12-8 postseason) got off to a fast start. That's exactly what would transpire early, with Dallas building an early 22-9 lead with 5:48 remaining in the first quarter. However, Boston progressively chipped away and then blew past its hosts over the next two and a half quarters, with the high point coming in the form of a 91-70 advantage with 11:07 remaining in regulation. The Mavericks would then turn the tables in dramatic fashion, getting as close as one point and then still trailing by just two with 1:20 remaining despite Luka Doncic having fouled out by that point. However, a pair of subsequent free throws apiece from Derrick White and Jayson Tatum would seal the extremely hard-fought win for Joe Mazzulla's club, leaving them just a game shy of their 18th NBA championship.
Tatum led the Celtics with 31 points, adding six rebounds, five assists and one steal. Jaylen Brown furnished 30 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and one block. White supplied 16 points, five rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Jrue Holiday and Sam Hauser contributed matching nine-point tallies while recording four and three rebounds, respectively. Holiday also dished out five assists.
Kyrie Irving paced the Mavericks with 35 points, supplementing them with three rebounds and two assists. Doncic finished with 27 points, six rebounds, six assists and one steal. P.J. Washington registered 13 points, eight rebounds and two assists. Dereck Lively generated a 11-point, 13-rebound double-double that included one assist and two steals.
A potential series-ending Game 4 will take place Friday night at American Airlines Center.