The main story: Following their victory in Game 3 against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday with a score of 106-99, the Boston Celtics are now one win away from clinching their 18th championship trophy. Will the Celtics finish the job or can the Mavericks avoid elimination?
Here’s what you need to know before the crucial Game 4 at 8:30 p.m. ET.
Boston is on the verge of making history: No team has ever come back from a 0-3 deficit in the NBA playoffs, let alone in the Finals. This adds to the sense of inevitability that has surrounded the Celtics throughout the season.
Dallas Mavericks are struggling: Despite Luka Dončić’s impact on the game, his poor defense led to him fouling out in the fourth quarter of Game 3, hindering the Mavericks’ comeback efforts. Instead of blaming the referees, Dončić may need to redirect his frustration towards his teammates.
While Kyrie Irving scored 35 points to break out of his shooting slump in Game 3, the rest of the Mavericks have looked inexperienced and out of sync. With 11 different players getting playing time in an attempt to spark a turnaround, it’s do or die for Dallas tonight.
