BOSTON — If the Mavericks thought playing in Boston was difficult, it may get even tougher as the series shifts to Dallas.
The Celtics, winners of both Games 1 and 2 at home, have been a historically great road team during this NBA Finals run. Boston has earned a win in each of the six road games it has played.
Now, the Mavericks are forced to either blemish that mark or watch the Celtics hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy in Dallas.
“We have to protect home,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said, “and that’s it.”
The Celtics, now riding an eight-game win streak, have not lost in a full calendar month. Their last loss was in the second round against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Boston. They are 13-2 in the playoffs.
Should the Celtics complete a sweep of the Mavericks, they would become the first team since the 2000-01 Los Angeles Lakers to go 8-for-8 on the road en route to a championship. They would also become just the sixth team to go 15-2 or better among NBA champions who played at least 17 games in a playoff run.
“They haven’t lost a game since (May 9),” Kidd said. “They’re hot, and not just on the road.”
How can the Mavericks stay alive at home?
“Score more points,” Luka Doncic said after the Game 2 loss. “At the end of the day, it’s basketball. We just have to play better basketball to win.”
Dallas has amassed a 5-3 home record during the playoffs. More notable, however, is a mediocre 3-3 record in Games 3 and 4 in their previous three series — all of which took place at American Airlines Center.
The Celtics, meanwhile, have dominated Games 3 and 4 (all on the road) to the tune of a plus-62 combined point differential. In their first two series, the consecutive road wins were preceded by a Game 2 loss in Boston. That was not the case in the Eastern Conference Final, which Boston swept.
Now, it looks like the NBA Finals could be destined for the same fate. Unless the Mavericks can find some magic against one of the best road playoff teams in NBA history.
“We’re not down,” Kidd said. “We didn’t get an opportunity to get a split or win two on the road. Boston held serve and now we have to go home and do the same.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Boston Celtics take road success to Dallas for Game 3 vs. Mavericks