The Dallas Mavericks now find themselves packing for Boston, not for a vacation but for another shot at the NBA Finals. This unexpected continuation of their season came on the heels of one of the most lopsided victories in Finals history. Luka Doncic led the charge with a dazzling 25 of his 29 points in the first half, while Kyrie Irving added a steady 21, propelling the Mavericks to a dominant 122-84 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 4.
“It doesn’t change anything,” Doncic remarked postgame. “Like I said in the beginning of this series, it’s the first to four. And we’re going to believe until the end. We’re just going to keep going. I have big belief in this team that we can do it.”
Luka Doncic and Jayson Tatum reflect after Game 4 where the Celtics lead the NBA Finals series
Doncic’s confidence was palpable throughout his postgame interview. Emphasizing the importance of staying focused and supporting his teammates, he said, “We were locked in, especially on the defensive end. We played with pace. It helped [my teammates]. I’m here to help them in every way I can. We just got to play like that.”
The Mavericks’ defense was indeed stifling, holding the Celtics to a meager 35 points in the first half-their lowest in any half under Coach Joe Mazzulla. This 26-point halftime deficit marked Boston’s second-worst of the season and their largest ever in an NBA Finals game.
As Dallas surged, Doncic found solace in the growth of rookie Dereck Lively, who played beyond his years. “Big-time, man. I think people forget he’s a rookie. He’s been amazing the whole season. Just watching him grow was unbelievable. It’s fun having him out there with me. Call him my teammate, it’s unbelievable.“
Tatum reflects on Celtics’ struggles: Eyes redemption in Game 5
On the other side, Jayson Tatum and the Celtics found themselves in unfamiliar territory, unable to match the Mavericks’ intensity. Reflecting on the game, Tatum acknowledged, “Absolutely. Like you said, a year ago this time, we were down 0-3 and we were essentially fighting for our lives. They came out super aggressive. They played extremely fast and took more shots than we did. They were really concentrating on attacking the offensive glass. They got way more rebounds than we did.”
Despite the setback, Tatum remains optimistic about Game 5. “Give them credit. They played well tonight and we didn’t. We had the right mindset and right intentions. We wanted to come out and play super well and win, but it just didn’t go that way tonight. But, you know, we are fortunate. We get another opportunity on Monday.”
Tatum’s analysis of their performance was candid. “Yeah, I think we were a little – I think this is the most stagnant that we’ve been this series and the worst job of owning our space on the offensive end and doing what we wanted to do instead of what they were forcing us to do. And, you know, we did a great job of that the first three games, and this one, we didn’t.“
With Game 5 looming, Tatum is hopeful for a turnaround at the Garden. “I think it’s going to be as loud as it’s ever been, in my seven years of being a Celtic. Excited to go back home. Celebrate Father’s Day on Sunday and compete for a championship on Monday. So it should be a lot of fun.“
As the series shifts back to Boston, the Mavericks have newfound belief while the Celtics must regroup and prepare to defend their home court. The drama of the NBA Finals is far from over, and both teams will be fighting tooth and nail for the ultimate prize.
