The 2024 NBA final is set to be decided. The Boston Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks at home in an agonizing third game of the series. Jayson Tatum has achieved redeem himself after two games in which he demanded more. Tonight, in what has been his best game to date, he has led his team with 27 points to put them one victory away from their 18th title. This could come on Friday in the fourth game, which will also be played in Dallas .
Luka Dončić, sent off for six fouls with 4 minutes and 12 seconds left, could not prevent the fall despite having brought the Mavs closer to a historic comeback. Boston had a crushing third quarter. With four minutes he pushed Jaylen Brown. Only twice in his career and never in a playoff game. Jason Kidd has played the season with a challenge to the referees. 27 points with 6 rebounds and 6 assists.
The Mavs’ start at home was powerful. Everything went to the locals in the first game of the series in Texas. In an instant, Dallas was already ahead on the scoreboard by ten points. Lively scored on a basket blocked by Xavier Tillman. Dante Exum made a great dunk that broke the perimeter barrier that the Celtics have raised on the perimeter throughout the series. Even Luka Dončić scored a couple of free throws under the shouts of “MVP!, MVP!”
The confusion of Boston, who had not finished leaving the locker room, was clear. Coach Joe Mazzulla called a timeout just minutes into the game to be able to rearrange his players. Moments later, Dallas’ broad dominance appeared to have been an illusion. The Mavs saw their lead reduced to one point at the end of the first period.
Nine points from Irving in the first quarter
Dallas returned home with a lot of work to do. One of the most urgent was long-distance shots. The Mavs were just 6 of 26 behind the three-point line in the first game of the series. The story did not improve in the second game in Boston, with only 7 of 27, 26% of shots converted compared to 38% for the Celtics. Dončić, who leads his team in three-pointers, asked his teammates to try more from deep. The message was intended to encourage accomplished shooters. Especially Irving, who until tonight hit his first three-pointer in the final. In fact, he closed the game with four.
Kyrie Irving had an explosive first half. In the first two games he had been criticized for letting the Slovenian star carry the weight of Dallas on his shoulders. The point guard was able to redeem himself this afternoon in Dallas with 20 points in the first half, becoming his team’s best scorer in the first quarters, surpassing the European, who went into halftime with 17 points.
Kyrie was not the only one who cleaned up his image in the final. So did Tatum, one of Boston’s stars. The forward had had problems finding the basket throughout the series. He had made only 12 of 38 shots, 31%, one of the worst percentages among the starters on both teams. Boston forward Tatum has made it clear that he is pushing himself. Especially because despite his failures he is still among the main contenders to win the MVP of the series. Judging by the first three games of the finals, the Celtics offense has not missed him. Still, Tatum has proven his worth on the court by grabbing boards and giving assists, an area where he is a leader in the series. Tonight he grabbed 6 rebounds and gave 5 assists.
Wave of 17 in the third quarter. 35 points against 19. Dallas Down by 15 points.
Kristaps Porziņģis, the figure in the Celtics’ first victory, has missed this game. The 28-year-old Latvian star dislocated the tendon in his left ankle during the third quarter of Sunday’s game. The team tried to calm fans’ nerves by ensuring that the injury was not related to the calf injury, which sidelined the center for 10 rounds of the playoffs. The team had not ruled him out Tuesday night for the Dallas game, but Mazzulla ultimately did not clear him to play.
News in development…
You can follow EL PAÍS Deportes in Facebook and xor sign up here to receive our weekly newsletter.
#Celtics #defeat #Dallas #home #caress #18th #title