Celtics-Mavs takeaways: C’s one win away from title after wild Game 3

Celtics-Mavs takeaways: C’s one win away from title after wild Game 3 originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Celtics are one win away from Banner 18.

Even without star big man Kristaps Porzingis, who was ruled out with a left leg injury, the Celtics took care of business in Wednesday night’s Game 3 in Dallas. After the Mavericks jumped out to an early 13-point lead, Boston weathered the storm and cut the deficit to one by the end of the quarter to quiet the American Airlines Center crowd. The C’s kept it to a one-point game at the half and broke through with a dominant third quarter. They took a 15-point lead into the final frame, where things got dicey.

The Mavs reeled off a 22-2 run to cut a 21-point deficit to one. The momentum shifted back in Boston’s favor after Dallas star Luka Doncic fouled out with 4:12 to play. From there, the Celtics settled back in offensively and finished off a thrilling 106-99 victory to take a commanding 3-0 series lead.

The win snapped the franchise’s seven-game losing streak in Game 3s while leading 2-0. It also brought Boston to 7-0 in road games this postseason and was the team’s 10th consecutive win overall.

Celtics stars Jayson Tatum (31 points) and Jaylen Brown (30 points) led the way while Derrick White chipped in 16, including a huge 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter.

Kyrie Irving had a bounce-back performance with 35 points and Doncic notched 27 before fouling out in Dallas’ defeat.

No NBA team has ever come back from down 3-0 in a playoff series. The Celtics will aim to complete the sweep Friday night in Dallas.

First, here are three takeaways from their Game 3 victory.

The Jays outduel Dallas’ duo

This game was a battle between the Celtics and Mavericks’ star tandems. Both carried their respective teams offensively, but the Jays did just enough on both ends to get the edge over Irving and Doncic.

Tatum shook off his lackluster shooting performances in Games 1 and 2 and came out firing in Game 3. The five-time All-Star erupted for 20 first-half points on 7-of-15 from the floor and 3-of-8 from 3-point range. He scored 16 points in all of Game 1 and 18 in Game…

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Author : NBC Sports Boston

Publish date : 2024-06-13 04:04:51

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