The Dallas Mavericks found a glimmer of hope Friday night, pulling out a victory by the third-largest margin in NBA Finals history to avoid a sweep against the Boston Celtics. The series returns to Boston on Monday, where the C’s will look to dismantle any confidence gained from the blowout victory.
Here’s a closer look at why the Celtics couldn’t sweep the Mavericks
Celtics couldn’t sweep Mavericks, here’s why
Dončić Ds up
Luka Dončić’s defensive intensity is certainly a factor, as his laziness appeared to be exposed in the third game, prompting an avalanche of criticism from the media. The hate must have caught his attention, as the 25-year-old brought a much greater level of effort to the beatdown. The Celtics once again looked to exploit the matchup in several sets, but when Dončić stood his ground, he left little time on the shot clock for an effective rally. This resulted in multiple shot clock violations, sloppy passes, and lost possessions. Boston finished the night with 13 turnovers, the highest total of the four games.
It’s important to note that Dončić was able to rest the entire fourth quarter, meaning it’s unknown if he would have run out of gas at the decisive moment. The fifth game should provide a more revealing look.
The Mavs had more at stake
The Mavericks simply had more to play for, as they weren’t looking to be the first team swept in the Finals since the 2018 Cleveland Cavaliers. Second chances and fast break points stood out, as Dončić and the Mavs dominated both by substantial margins . It may sound cliché, but Jason Kidd’s team simply looked more energetic all night, even once the bench players were replaced. Point guard Tim Hardaway Jr. became just the third player in Finals history to make five 3-pointers in a single quarter. .
The role players played their roles.
Hardaway wasn’t the only one finally finding his groove as Dallas’ role players found a rhythm. Dončić and Kyrie Irving seemed alone on the court, as turning to their teammates seemed futile in the first three games. Friday was a step in the right direction for the rest of Kidd’s rotation. Rookie center Dereck Lively had success inside, recording 11 points and 12 rebounds on 80% shooting. He hit the first 3-pointer of his career and then dedicated the shot to his late mother. PJ Washington, Dante Exum and Jaden Hardy all shot efficiently from beyond the arc to offset Dončić’s 0-of-8 shooting.
Porzingis’ absence took on great importance
For the Celtics, it’s becoming clear that they deeply miss the interior presence of Kristaps Porzingis. The center’s return from injury in Game 1 was the best example, grabbing six rebounds and making three shots in just 20 minutes of action. He was considered available for Game 4, but coach Joe Mazzulla decided not to play him. Fans should expect to see Porzingis back on the court in Game 5 with a respectable workload.
