The Celtics, who were unbeaten in 10 games, had their worst offensive performance of the season but still have an advantage that no team has squandered in history.
The green team will have another chance to become champion, for the first time since 2008, in the fifth game on Monday in front of their home crowd.
None of the 156 teams that were down 3-0 in the playoffs managed to come back from the tie, including 14 times in the Finals, but Doncic and his Mavericks do not give up believing in a miracle.
“This victory doesn’t change anything. The first person to reach four wins,” Doncic stressed. “We are going to believe until the end. I firmly believe that we can do it, so we have to continue.”
The Mavericks’ superiority on Friday pushed Boston coach, Joe Mazzulla, to throw in the towel by sitting his starters with three minutes remaining in the third quarter.
The locals did not let up on the accelerator either in the last period and finished with a difference of 38 points, the third largest in a Finals game.
Boston, which only dropped below 100 points in four of its previous 99 games this year, experienced a true offensive collapse, falling to a paltry 35 points in the first half, the worst number since Mazzulla’s arrival at the end of 2022.
Jayson Tatum was the team’s leading scorer with just 15 points, while Jaylen Brown and Jrue Holiday each had 10 for the Celtics, reduced to 36.3% field goal effectiveness.
“This time it’s not about us. You have to give them a lot of credit, they played very well, with a lot of energy and in a very physical way, that’s why they are here,” Mazzulla conceded.
“Winning any game is difficult, but winning Game 4 of the NBA Finals is much more difficult,” described Jrue Holiday, champion in 2021 with the Milwaukee Bucks. “They came out desperate and hit us in the mouth.”
Dallas Mavericks pride reaction
Wounded in their pride, the Mavericks took control of the match from the beginning to prevent their first Finals since 2011 from ending in a humiliating elimination.
The last team to be swept 4-0 in a title tie was LeBron James’ Cavaliers in 2018 at the hands of Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant’s Warriors.
Doncic, who has various physical problems, responded forcefully to the numerous criticisms received for his expulsion in the final stretch of the third game, which ruined a spectacular comeback by Dallas.
The Slovenian, top scorer of the season and finalist for the MVP award, later criticized himself and this Friday responded with a performance of 29 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.
His partner Kyrie Irving added 21 points and, after two gray first games, he continues to recover the excellent level that propelled the Mavericks to become the unexpected guest of these Finals.
Dallas’ bench also showed signs of life for the first time in the tie, especially rookie Dereck Lively II.
The center, who at 20 years old is one of the youngest players to play in the Finals, scored 11 points and 12 rebounds with several huge dunks in a paint that until now was a protected reserve for the Celtics.
Boston did not find any response to the Mavericks’ gale until down 88-52 on the scoreboard, Mazzulla called up his starting five.
Jason Kidd then called his team and the 19,000 Texas fans said goodbye to Doncic with a thunderous ovation.
The injured Kristaps Porzingis, who Mazzulla said could play if necessary, did not take the court.
FOUNTAIN: AFP
