4 key reasons the Boston Celtics failed to sweep Dallas Mavericks
4 key reasons the Boston Celtics failed to sweep Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks found a sprinkle of hope on Friday night, claiming victory by the third-largest margin in NBA Finals history to avoid a sweep against the Boston Celtics. The series heads back to Boston on Monday, where the C's will look to dismantle any confidence gained from the blowout win.
Here's a closer look at why the Celtics were unable to sweep the Mavericks
Celtics couldn't sweep Mavericks, here's why
Dončić Ds up
Luka Dončić’s defensive intensity is without a doubt a factor, as it seemed that his laziness was exposed in Game 3, leading to a flood of criticism from the media. The hate must’ve caught his attention, as the 25-year-old brought a much higher level of effort in the blowout. The Celtics once again looked to exploit the matchup through various sets, but when Dončić held his own, it left little time on the shot clock for an effective look. This resulted in multiple shot-clock violations, careless passes, and fumbled possessions. Boston finished the night with 13 turnovers, the highest total of the four games.
It’s important to note that Dončić was able to rest the entire fourth quarter, meaning it’s unknown if he would’ve run out of gas in crunch time. Game 5 should provide a more insightful look.
Mavs had more on the line
The Mavericks simply had more to play for, as they were not looking to be the first Finals team swept since the 2018 Cleveland Cavaliers. The second-chance and fast break points stood out, as Dončić and the Mavs dominated both with substantial margins. It may sound cliche, but Jason Kidd’s squad simply looked more energized throughout the night, even once the bench players were subbed in. Guard Tim Hardaway Jr. became just the third player in Finals history to knock down five three-pointers in a single quarter.
Role players played their roles
Hardaway wasn’t the only one finally finding his rhythm as Dallas’ role players found a groove. Dončić and Kyrie Irving looked alone on the floor, as turning to their teammates felt useless in the first three games. Friday was a step in the right direction for the rest of Kidd’s rotation. Rookie center Dereck Lively found success in the interior, recording 11 points and 12 rebounds on 80% shooting. He nailed the first 3-pointer of his career, later dedicating the shot to his late mother. P.J. Washington, Dante Exum, and Jaden Hardy shot efficiently from the arc to make up for Dončić’s 0 of 8.
Porzingis absence loomed large
For the Celtics, it’s becoming clear that they are deeply missing Kristaps Porzingis’ interior presence. The big man’s return from injury in Game 1 was the greatest example, grabbing six rebounds and swatting three shots in just 20 minutes of action. He was ruled available for Game 4, but coach Joe Mazzulla decided against playing him. Fans should expect to see Porzingis back on the floor in Game 5 with a respectable workload.