NBA Finals 2024 Game three LIVE updates: Hot Tatum fires Celtics into lead as Exum’s dunk wows fans
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Celtics fire to start third term
The Celtics are six for six shooting to begin the third quarter with Jaysom Tatum just walking into an open three-point shot and swishing it home.
Tatum blew a kiss on three fingers after that shot. I don’t blame him, it was a beauty.
The Celtics have their biggest lead of the game. Mavs need a time out and to pick up their defence.
BOS 64, DAL 59 with eight mins to go in Q3.
Jayson Tatum.Credit: Getty Images
Fans want more Exum
Dante Exum took flight with a huge slam in the first quarter and fans are loving it across Australia, Europe and the US.
HT: Dallas 51, Boston 50
Offensive rebounds are always vital in playoff basketball, but on this night they look more and more important given this has been a high-scoring game with lots of three-point shooting.
The Mavs came up with an offensive board with nine seconds to go and PJ Washington drew a foul, splitting the two free throws to give the home side the lead at half-time.
Tatum has 20 points for Boston and no other Celtic is in double figures yet, while Irving has 20 points and Doncic has 17 points.
Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks attempts a lay-up.Credit: Getty Images
Basketball can be cruel
Irving drove to the hoop yet again and had an open layup. But the ball bounced out and the Celtics went back the other way.
Horford was left open in the corner for a three which he swished.
The Mavs could have taken a five-point lead. Instead, Boston tied it up.
Irving hits back-to-back threes
This game is a shootout and the Mavs will love that it is being played at a higher tempo.
Irving has made back-to-back threes and has passed 20 points for the half while Luka Doncic is still scoring as well with 15 points.
Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (4) shoots against Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11).Credit: AP
Jrue Holiday just scored off an offensive rebound, he continues to find ways to hurt Dallas, even when the Mavs are firing offensively.
DAL 46, BOS 45 with two mins to go in Q2.
Tatum taking over
Jayson Tatum has 18 points and it is not even half-time.
He just drove down the lane and made a euro-step around Gafford for a layup.
Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics dunks the ball.Credit: Getty Images
“It’s as sharp as he has looked,” Doris Burke said on ESPN.
Tatum is nailing his three-point shots and driving to the hoop for buckets.
Dante Exum hasn’t returned since quarter time but Josh Green has come into the game.
DAL 41, BOS 40 with four mins to go in Q2.
Doncic fighting with refs
One of Doncic’s few weaknesses as a player is that he can lose focus and get frustrated with referees.
He has been better at keeping his temper in check in the past few games, but he is firing up at the referees tonight and clearly trying to draw fouls on the Celtics, who are playing pretty patient defence so far.
Doncic can’t let himself lose focus here. Not when this game is so close.
BOS 35, DAL 33 with seven mins to go in Q2.
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots against Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0).Credit: AP
Watch: Exum takes flight
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