NEW DELHI: The Boston Celtics, driven by their dynamic pair of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, managed to fend off a fierce rally from the Dallas Mavericks. The Celtics secured a 106-99 victory on Wednesday, gaining a commanding 3-0 lead in the NBA finals.
Jayson Tatum, overcoming a recent scoring slump, notched 31 points. Jaylen Brown added 30 points, with 15 of those coming in a red-hot third quarter. With this win, the Celtics are now just one game away from a record-setting 18th NBA championship.
Currently tied with the Los Angeles Lakers at 17 titles, Boston can clinch the series in game four in Dallas on Friday.
The Mavericks face a daunting challenge, knowing that no team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit to win an NBA playoff series.
In a tight contest, the Mavericks managed to cut a 21-point fourth-quarter Celtics lead to just two points with 1:20 remaining. Kyrie Irving assisted Derrick Lively for a dunk, bringing the Mavericks to within 100-98.
At this critical moment, Mavericks star Luka Doncic watched from the sidelines in frustration. He fouled out with 4:12 remaining, accumulating his fifth and sixth fouls in less than a minute.
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd challenged both fouls on Doncic but was unsuccessful. Doncic left the game after being called for a blocking foul on Jrue Holiday, with the Mavericks trailing by three points.
Dallas continued to push but ultimately fell short. Jaylen Brown hit a key jump shot to extend the lead to four. After an Irving missed three-pointer, Derrick White and Tatum each sank two free throws, securing the Celtics’ win.
Kyrie Irving, rebounding from sub-par performances in the first two games, led the Mavericks with 35 points. Luka Doncic ended the game with 27 points, six rebounds, and six assists, before fouling out for just the third time in his career.
Jayson Tatum, overcoming a recent scoring slump, notched 31 points. Jaylen Brown added 30 points, with 15 of those coming in a red-hot third quarter. With this win, the Celtics are now just one game away from a record-setting 18th NBA championship.
Currently tied with the Los Angeles Lakers at 17 titles, Boston can clinch the series in game four in Dallas on Friday.
The Mavericks face a daunting challenge, knowing that no team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit to win an NBA playoff series.
In a tight contest, the Mavericks managed to cut a 21-point fourth-quarter Celtics lead to just two points with 1:20 remaining. Kyrie Irving assisted Derrick Lively for a dunk, bringing the Mavericks to within 100-98.
At this critical moment, Mavericks star Luka Doncic watched from the sidelines in frustration. He fouled out with 4:12 remaining, accumulating his fifth and sixth fouls in less than a minute.
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd challenged both fouls on Doncic but was unsuccessful. Doncic left the game after being called for a blocking foul on Jrue Holiday, with the Mavericks trailing by three points.
Dallas continued to push but ultimately fell short. Jaylen Brown hit a key jump shot to extend the lead to four. After an Irving missed three-pointer, Derrick White and Tatum each sank two free throws, securing the Celtics’ win.
Kyrie Irving, rebounding from sub-par performances in the first two games, led the Mavericks with 35 points. Luka Doncic ended the game with 27 points, six rebounds, and six assists, before fouling out for just the third time in his career.