The Boston Celtics secured a dominant 3-0 series lead over the Mavericks in the NBA Finals with a 106-99 victory in Dallas on Wednesday. With just one more win, the Celtics will clinch their 18th championship, setting a new NBA record.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown led the way for Boston, scoring 31 and 30 points respectively. When asked about the team’s strategy to win the series, Brown emphasized the importance of staying focused on the present moment. He advised his teammates to appreciate their current situation and remain in the present.
Boston faced a challenge in Game 3 as their center, Kristaps Porzingis, was unable to play due to a left posterior tibialis dislocation. The team initially struggled without him, allowing the Mavericks to take a commanding 22-9 lead in the first quarter. However, the Celtics gradually closed the gap, making it a one-point game by the start of the second quarter.
The game remained closely contested until the third quarter, when the Celtics found their rhythm from beyond the arc, surging ahead to an 85-70 lead.

In a valiant attempt to stage a comeback, the Mavericks embarked on a remarkable 22-2 run, slashing the deficit to a mere one point. However, their hopes were dashed when Luka Doncic, the star of the Mavericks, fouled out of the game with approximately four minutes remaining. This marked the first time in the 25-year-old Slovenian’s NBA playoff career that he fouled out.
Despite the setback, Kyrie Irving, the guard for Dallas, put on an impressive performance, recording a game-high 35 points. Doncic also contributed with 27 points.
Fans can look forward to Game 4, scheduled to take place on Friday at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.