In a lively American Airlines Center, and after the tribute to Jerry West, Luka Doncic (27 points at 11/27, 6 assists, 6 rebounds, 6 fouls) and Kyrie Irving attack the Celtics circle to start the match. They score 18 of their team's first 25 points, including 6/7 in the paint, and put Boston 13 lengths behind (25-12)! While Joe Mazzulla's men are in the tough, there are 13 points from Jayson Tatum (31 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists), and two 3-pointers from Sam Hauser (9 points) coming off the bench, which not only stop the bleeding but put the Celtics back in the game (31-30).
Kyrie Irving finds his shot, Sam Hauser imitates him
A lay-up from Jaylen Brown (30 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists), on a third defensive oversight from Doncic busy complaining to the referees, and a 3-pointer from Derrick White (16 points) to start the second period ends a 22-8 from Boston which gives them their first advantage of the match (35-33).
While the Mavs' attack has been slow for more than seven minutes, it was three winning shots in a row from Kyrie Irving that broke the deadlock on the Boston defense (44-40)! The Celtics, however, remain in ambush. Tatum continues to lead the way, Sam Hauser and Al Horford add two new award-winning shots, and Dallas returns to the locker room with only one point ahead despite 37 points for the Irving – Doncic duo (51-50).
Jaylen Brown and a tough defense put the Celtics in orbit
After only scoring 20 points in the second quarter, the Celtics scored 14 in the first three minutes of the third quarter, including 11 for the Jaylen Brown – Jrue Holiday duo. The contrast between the two teams is striking. While Boston unfolds, Dallas gets bogged down and the Celtics take control of operations behind a 10-2 led by Brown and Tatum (71-61)!
The American Airlines Center is gradually dying out in the face of the Celtics' obvious superiority. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving have to dribble around fifteen times to create difficult shots while on the other side Boston drives the point home. Xavier Tillman hits the mark from afar and a thunderous dunk, as an exclamation point, from Jaylen Brown who ends the quarter with 15 units puts the Celtics at +15 (85-70)!
A completely crazy last quarter
In cathedral silence, Brown then Derrick White added two 3-pointers to start the last period and give Boston a 21-point lead (91-70)! Eleven minutes from a 0-3 and almost KO, Dallas finds a second wind. PJ Washington (13 points) and Josh Green set the sights, Doncic and Irving regained verve, and little by little Boston stopped playing. The Mavs pass a 20-2 to their opponents in five minutes to completely restart the match (93-90).
The Celtics' offense rushes or comes down to forced shots and turnovers, but their defense allows them to stay ahead. With four minutes to play, the Mavs saw Luka Doncic receive his fourth foul of the quarter and his sixth foul of the game. Without his playing master, Dallas relies on Kyrie Irving. He brings them back to -2 (100-98), but the Mavs will never go ahead.
It was tough for Boston but Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday and Derrick White each signed one last decisive action to prevent the Celtics from falling victim to what would have been the biggest comeback in NBA Finals history in a fourth quarter time. Winners of their 10th game in a row in these playoffs, the Celtics remain undefeated away from home in these playoffs and will have a first title shot during Game 4, on the night of Friday to Saturday.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The Mavs’ adjustments to start the game. Dallas had its best start to the series thanks to several tactical changes. Defensively, if they continued to switch the pick & rolls of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, they changed the way they helped to be less in rotation. The Celtics needed several minutes to recalibrate their attack. Offensively, the Mavs did everything to give Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving more space. It started with screens near the middle of the field, and Kyrie Irving attacking his one-on-ones much more quickly. Jason Kidd also started Jaden Hardy as the first substitute, then Tim Hardaway Jr at the start of the second quarter hoping that the Boston defense would focus on their shooting skills.
– First key moment: the end of the first quarter. After a convincing start to the match (25-13), the Mavs will revive Boston. They miss five shots in a row, while Jayson Tatum puts his team back on track. The entry of Sam Hauser is also decisive. He's the only Celtic, other than Tatum, to put in there. Luka Doncic, although excellent so far, then falls back into his faults. They chain 3-point “step backs” without rhythm and disputes with the referees. The scenario repeats itself twice in the last 90 seconds of the period and turns into a 3-pointer from Hauser and a dunk from Tatum to bring Boston back to one point.
– Second key moment: the first six minutes of the third quarter. As soon as we returned from the locker room, you could feel that the energy had completely changed. Boston's offense had found its rhythm, and their defense had completely shut down Dallas'. Jaylen Brown, clumsy in the first half, wakes up and quickly the Celtics take a ten-point lead. While Doncic and Irving were still too lonely and frustrated, Boston could count on the superb entry of Xavier Tillman, who filled the absence of Kristaps Porzingis, to drive the point home. Behind Jaylen Brown's 15 points, Boston won the third period 35-19. This will be enough to make the difference.
– Kyrie Irving woke up, the other Mavs still struggling. All eyes were on Kyrie Irving before Game 3. After two first games where he was clumsy, the former Celtic responded. He scored 20 of his 35 points in the first half by being aggressive. This time it was he who pulled Luka Doncic and the rest of the squad throughout the meeting. The Slovenian blackened the stat sheet (27 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists) but was clumsy and let his frustration take him out of the match, constantly arguing with the referees and receiving his sixth foul with 4 minutes left. play. The other Mavs found some life in the last quarter, but it was too little too late.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
