In a stunning display of dominance, the Dallas Mavericks routed the Boston Celtics 122-84 in Game 4, forcing a pivotal Game 5 in the NBA Finals.
The 38-point margin marks one of the biggest blowouts in NBA Finals history, with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving leading the charge for the Mavericks with 29 and 21 points respectively.
The Mavericks took control early, leading by as much as 38 points in the third quarter, leaving no doubt about their determination to extend the series.
Despite the resounding victory, the Celtics still hold a 3-1 lead in the series, with Game 5 set to take place in Boston on Monday.
The loss snapped the Celtics’ 10-game postseason winning streak, halting their bid to sweep both the conference finals and the NBA Finals.
Tim Hardaway Jr. and Dereck Lively II contributed to the Mavericks’ triumph, with Hardaway Jr. scoring 15 points and Lively II recording a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
The Mavericks’ commanding performance in Game 4 showcased their resilience and determination to keep their championship hopes alive.
With game seemingly over early on, Joe Mazzulla rested his core players. Jayson Tatum was Boston’s top scorer with 15 points, followed by Sam Hauser with 14 points off the bench.
