Just like Game 3, the Dallas Mavericks raced to a strong start.
Unlike the previous three games of this NBA Finals series, Luka Doncic and Co. delivered a ruthless beating of the Boston Celtics.
One elimination game survived, three more to go.
Doncic went off and dropped 29 points in three quarters, while Kyrie Irving added 21, as the Mavericks lived to fight another day thanks to decisive 122-84 Game 4 romp of the Celtics. They force Game 5 back in Boston and cut the NBA Finals series deficit, 3-1.
The Mavericks avoid the sweep and DOMINATE Game 4 vs the Celtics 😤
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 15, 2024
Luka Doncic:
29 points on 12-of-26 shooting
5 rebounds
5 assists
3 steals
Kyrie Irving:
21 points on 10-of-18 shooting
4 rebounds
6 assists pic.twitter.com/0DRavhMNq6
Doncic, who fouled out in a Game 3 loss, was on a mission early and scored 25 markers in the first half, shredding the Celtics’ defense from the get-go as his assist to Maxi Kleber triple put the Mavericks ahead, 61-35, at halftime.
Maxi Kleber's 3 caps an impressive 1st half for the Mavs in Game 4 ??
— NBA (@NBA) June 15, 2024
Dallas leads 61-35 at the break on ABC. pic.twitter.com/5qgJcLruVZ
WHAT A 1ST HALF FROM LUKA DONCIC 🔥
— NBA (@NBA) June 15, 2024
25 points, 4 assists and a 61-35 Mavs lead.
🏆 Game 4 on ABC 🏆 pic.twitter.com/YtZDjHDlKn
With their backs against the wall, the Dallas superstar stopped worrying about calls and just played.
It worked perfectly.
He added five rebounds, five dimes and three steals in 33 minutes and did not play in the final quarter after the Mavericks built a whopping 92-60 advantage after third.
Luka goes up top to Gafford for the oop!
— NBA (@NBA) June 15, 2024
Dallas extends their Game 4 lead on ABC pic.twitter.com/c9GUB2XXpF
In a must-win game, Dallas delivered behind a scintillating offense and hard-nosed defense, holding the Celtics to less than 100 points for the first time this title series en route to their first Finals win in 13 years.
KYRIE CLAMPING 🔒
— NBA (@NBA) June 15, 2024
🏆 Game 4 on ABC 🏆 pic.twitter.com/S1OMpEn0Wz
TEAM. DEFENSE.
— NBA (@NBA) June 15, 2024
Dallas doing it on both ends tonight 😤#NBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV
🏆 Game 4 on ABC 🏆 pic.twitter.com/MsoJv5qEpK
Dallas, who led by as many as 33 points, reached the 100-point mark for the first time this title series and did most of their damage inside, holding a 60-26 paint point advantage, and dominated the rebounding battle, 52-31.
Tim Hardaway Jr. had 15 points built on five triples in just six minutes while Dereck Lively added a huge double-double off 11 points and 12 rebounds--seven of which in the offensive glass--and a much-needed effort with his thunderous dunks and on the defensive end.
Feed the 🔥 hand pic.twitter.com/jObbcZdaQK
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) June 15, 2024
Meanwhile, Tatum led the way for the Celtics 15 points while Sam Hausser added 14 markers and Payton Pritchard chipped in 11.
Jaylen Brown, who averaged 24 points in the Finals, was held to his lowest scoring output so far with 10.
Boston coach Joe Mazzulla pulled out his starters in the end of third, signaling the Cs were waiving the white flag with the title series shifting back to Beantown.
The loss snapped Boston’s 10-game winning streak and suffered just their first loss in seven road playoff games this postseason.
Game 5 of the NBA Finals will return to Boston on Tuesday June 18, at 8:30 a.m. It will be aired LIVE on One Sports, NBA TV Philippines, RPTV, and the Pilipinas Live app.
