The Boston Celtics stole Game 3 from the Dallas Mavericks on their home court. Game 3 was incredibly intense, with the stakes higher than ever for the Mavericks. If they lost, they would fall to a 3-0 deficit, which no team in NBA history has ever come back from. Let’s take a look at how the Mavericks fought hard but ultimately fell short in this critical game.
The Boston Celtics Slow Start In The First Quarter
The Boston Celtics struggled in the first half of the first quarter, allowing the Dallas Mavericks to take a commanding 13-point lead. Then the Celtics found their rhythm and went on a run, ending the quarter down by only one point. Both Jayson Tatum and Luka Doncic had a great first quarter, each scoring 13 points for their team.
The Dallas Mavericks finished the first quarter shooting 54% from the field on 24 shots, but only 22% on nine three-point attempts. In contrast, the Celtics shot 45% from the field on 22 shots and 38% on 13 three-point attempts. The final score of the first quarter was 31 to 30, with the Mavericks leading.
The Boston Celtics Keep The Score Close In Second
The biggest lead of the second quarter was a mere three points by the Mavericks. The entire quarter was a back-and-forth battle, with a total of six lead changes and three ties. While the Celtics took their first lead of the game, the Mavericks managed to end the quarter maintaining their one-point lead from the end of the first quarter.
The Dallas Mavericks’ shooting percentage dropped to 47% by the end of the quarter, but their three-point shooting percentage increased to 33%. In contrast, the Celtics’ shooting percentage fell to 40%, with their three-point shooting percentage also decreasing to 33%. The quarter ended with the Dallas Mavericks leading 51 to 50.
The Boston Celtics Dominate The Third Quarter
The Boston Celtics Stop Mavericks Fourth Quarter Comeback
The Celtics continued their domination from the third quarter early in the fourth quarter, extending their lead to 21 points, the largest of the game. However, the Dallas Mavericks did not give up. They went on a 20-2 run, bringing the game within three points. With four minutes left, something happened that devastated all Dallas Mavericks fans: superstar Luka Doncic fouled out of the game.
Kyrie Irving and the rest of the Mavericks now had to band together and play great offense and defense. For the next four minutes, the score remained close. The Mavericks brought the score down to a one-point game. However, their fight was not enough. After missing some important shots and the Celtics making clutch shots, the game ended with the Celtics winning 106 to 99.
The Dallas Mavericks finished the game shooting 44% from the field and 36% from three-point range. In contrast, the Boston Celtics finished shooting 46% from the field and 37% from three-point range.
Now, the Dallas Mavericks are down three games to one in the NBA Finals. No team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit in the NBA Finals. Is it possible for the Mavericks to come back, or will they meet the same fate as all other teams before them? Stay tuned to our NBA page to find out what happens.
About The Author
Hunter is a jack of all trades with a diverse set of interests. He enjoys participating in competitive running, tennis, and basketball. He loves trying new sports, especially any type of racket sport, and keeps up with professional tennis and basketball.
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