BTN News: Boston Celtics in Position to Bag 18th Title The Boston Celtics are on top of the world after a 3-0 lead over the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals. Dallas made a valiant effort in Game 3, but Boston held on for a seven-point victory, positioning the Celtics to sweep in Game 4.
The Celtics, who rested Kristaps Porziņģis, led by 21 points in the fourth quarter. But the Mavericks went on a 22-2 run to cut the deficit. Combined, Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving scored 62 points, but Dončić fouled out with 4:12 to play, helping to doom the Dallas comeback efforts.
Boston Celtics (2-1) vs. Dallas Mavericks (0-2) Game 4 Preview
- When to Watch: 8:30 p.m. ETWatch on ABC
- The Victor: Celtics 110 – 104Series: Celtics lead 3-0
- Odds: Celtics -10000; Mavericks +2000
No NBA team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit in the playoffs, and the series is heavily in the favor of the Celtics. Boston’s development and depth have been a huge part of putting them in a great spot and many believe Jaylen Brown has a solid chance of winning the NBA Finals MVP. He leads the tournament’s top 10 players at 24.3 PPG to go with 6 RPG, 5.7 APG, and 2 SPG a night but -350 odds. Jayson Tatum is also at odds of +275 after actually shooting 35.9% from the floor, but he’s arguably in contention anyway after erupting for 31 points in Game 3.
Mavericks and Celtics Stand Out
Dallas fans got a good performance from their team in Game 3, as the Mavericks made an investigation into the final minute when the Mavericks were up by 21 points early in the fourth quarter. When Dončić played, the Mavericks were outscored by 9 points, and they were outscored by 16 points when he sat. And Irving’s 35 points on 13-of-28 shooting was the most important subplot in the game, even though it wasn’t enough to overcome the Celtics.
The home team Mavericks are slight favorites in Game 4 They will try to prevent a sweep and duplicate the good stretches from Game 3. A Celtics win would be the first NBA Finals sweep since 2018 when the Golden State Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Background and Projections
A win by the Celtics would be a win for their 18th title, while also making them the tenth team ever to sweep the NBA Finals. They’ve only done this in one other series in the past six years, and they’re playing as if they can sweep their way to the next round.
Jaylen Brown – If the Celtics win in Game 4, Brown should lock up the Finals MVP honors, and he has been Mr. consistent throughout the series. Tatum, though, would have to have an awesome game to take MVP honors away from Brown at this point.
Those two groups presently move their concentration to Game 4, which will see Dallas endeavor to remain alive against all the opportunities or Boston demonstrate their predominance and wrap the title up with a spotless range.
