Tomorrow morning in the NBA Finals, the Dallas Mavericks will face off against the Boston Celtics.
The Dallas Mavericks find themselves in a tough spot after their third consecutive loss in the final series against the Boston Celtics, diminishing their chances of winning the title. In the last game, the team showcased an incredible comeback, narrowing a significant 21-point deficit thanks to a powerful 22-2 run. Despite Luka Dončić's efforts, who scored 27 points, with 6 rebounds and 5 assists, and Kyrie Irving leading with 35 points, the Mavericks fell short, finishing the match with a 7-point deficit, 99-106. The Mavericks’ issues in this series are evident not only in the lack of support from other players but also in the difficulties with defence against the multifaceted attack of the Celtics.
Beyond the stellar play of their main roster, Dončić and Irving are facing defensive challenges, which have become a critical point in the battle against such a strong opponent. Even when the Dončić-Irving duo managed to score over 60 points combined, the rest of the team could only muster 37 points. Role players like Kleber, Hardaway, or Exum faced shaky hands and legs. Coach Jason Kidd and Luka Dončić himself have emphasised the importance of the trials great players must go through. Despite the current struggles, Dončić remains optimistic, though few outside of Mavericks fans share that belief. Luka performed poorly in the 4th quarter, fouling out with 6 fouls four minutes before the end.
The Boston Celtics continue to showcase their superiority in the final series, extending their lead to 3-0 after defeating the Dallas Mavericks 106-99. This victory marks their tenth consecutive playoff win and solidifies their perfect away record this season (7-0). The team stands on the brink of a championship, which would allow them to tie with the Los Angeles Lakers in the number of NBA championship titles—18. Jayson Tatum once again made his mark with 31 points, while Jaylen Brown added 30 points. Both players demonstrated excellent performance, showing why the Celtics are currently the stronger and more talented team. In the third game, the Celtics coped without Kristaps Porziņģis, who missed the match due to a leg injury. Despite his absence, the team exhibited high calibre, successfully containing the Mavericks' attempts to close the gap, which at one point reached 21 points.
An outstanding performance in the third quarter, where the Celtics scored 35 points, allowed them to create a significant lead, despite their advantage narrowing to 3 points in the fourth quarter. The Celtics' defensive efficiency, which kept the Mavericks under 100 points in each game of the series, played a crucial role in their third consecutive victory in the finals. The team approaches the fourth game with hopes of closing out the series and securing the title. The tension and anticipation are high, as is the confidence of the Celtics players, who emphasise their readiness to achieve more. Statistical history favours the Boston Celtics, considering that teams leading 3-0 in a playoff series have never lost.
I expect a well-deserved sweep in the NBA Finals, with the Celtics being head and shoulders above the Mavericks in all aspects. Dončić, with multiple injuries and atrocious defence, won't be able to carry even one game on his own. Anticipate at least 50 points from the Tatum-Brown duo and a confident Boston victory away, sealing the series 4-0. They have earned this win.
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