Celtics 106 - 99 Mavericks summery, stats, scores and highlights | NBA Finals Game 3

Jaylen Brown isn't going to admit it, but he can sense a title in near. When you talk about living in the moment and smiling and appreciating things that means you may just get the feeling that a title is right around the corner. They are 3-0, sitting pretty and a game away from what would be a record setting 18th NBA title. 

Brown was the hot hand in the 2nd half, and that's who they got the ball to when they needed a bucket. He had 30 while Tatum put up 31 and the Celtics are now just one win away from bringing the Larry O'Brien Trophy back to Boston for the first time in 16 years. 

We all know the story. No team has ever comeback from 3-0 down in the NBA playoffs and won the series. That is the challenge that lies ahead for the Denver Nuggets. They will have to get one before they can start thinking of a comeback, and it will have to be in Game 4 on Friday night. 

The Mavs would pull it to within a point, but never took the lead and then disaster struck. Luka was called for a couple fouls in a matter of moments and picked up his sixth with a little over 4:00 to go. The Celtics and Derrick White smelled blood in the waters and went for the kill. White had 16 and was the only other Celtics in double figures outside of Tatum and Brown. 

After scoring just a point at halftime, Washington finally found his stroke and hit a couple threes to get Dallas back in the game in the midst of a 22-2 run. 

It took three and a half quarters but the other guys finally came to life. Luka and Kyrie didn't get much help from anyone until it was almost too late. PJ Washington and Josh Green hit a couple of threes to bring back the belief in Dallas. 

Tatum and Brown continued the onslaught as the lead climbed up to 21, but Dallas had a little more gas left in the tank. They would almost make a historic comeback in the final few minutes of Game 3. 

Let's just take another look at that dunk from a different angle. It's work a replay or 12. 

I don't know who it was, but someone awoke the beast at the halftime break. Jaylen Brown exploded for 15 points in the 3rd quarter and the Celtics went 13/20 from the field while outscoring the Mavs 35-19 to take a 15 point lead to the final quarter. 

The Celtics came out of the halftime break smoldering. They hit their first six field goals and took a 10 points lead that silenced the fans in Dallas. Something we shouldn't overlook is how good the Celtics have been playing defense. Derrick White, Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis have had some big time blocks throughout this series. They always seem to be forcing the Mavs in to making tough shots while their shot selection constantly looks much easier. 

Jrue Holiday didn't have another dominant scoring night like he did in Game 2 when he dropped 26, but he did everything the Celtics needed him to do. He pestered Luka on defense, which would eventually lead to him fouling out. He crashed the boards and brought energy to the Celtics in time of need. He ended the night with 9 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists. 

This was the battle. Especially in the first half as both Kyrie Irving and Jayson Tatum went to half with 20 points. Tatum wasn't the only one struggling from the field in this series. Kyrie was ice cold in Boston but found his lost touch once he was back in the American Airlines Center. 

Jaylen Brown took a little while to heat up in Game 3. He had just 6 points in the first half, but this lay up off the feed from Al Horford gave the Celtics their first lead after a 20-6 run. Horford worked a longer shift than usual with Kristaps Porzingis sidelined with another untimely injury. 

We had been waiting for a performance like the one Tatum had in Game 3 all series. While he was doing just about everything else for his team, his shots weren't dropping. That all changed on Wednesday night. Tatum came out hot, dropping 13 in the first quarter and erasing an early 13 point deficit as he and Kyrie Irving went back and forth all game. 

The Boston Celtics held off a heroic comeback bid from the Dallas Mavericks in the fourth quarter and are now knocking on the door of their 18th championship in franchise history. Jayson Tatum led the way with 31 points as the Celtics took a 3-0 lead on Wednesday night in Dallas. 

For the first two games in Boston it was the other guys that led the way for the Celtics to open the series. Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday were the stars of the show in Games 1 and 2 but in Game 3, it was all about the best back court in basketball. Tatum and Brown both had spectacular games when their team needed it most. 

IT'S ALL OVER!!!

The Boston Celtics hold off a fourth quarter surge from the Mavericks to take a 3-0 lead in the NBA Finals!

Washington to the line after the foul on Horford and he his one of two FTs. 

Hardaway misses the three and Tatum gets the rebound before getting fouled. He hits both FTs. 

Timeout Mavricks with 22 to go. 

Irving missed the three and White drags down the rebound before getting fouled by Washington. Both FTs are good with 22 seconds to go. 

Brown on the pump fake and he hits an elbow jumper with a hand in his face. 

Irving finds Lively wide open down low and he slams it down! 1:20 to go. 

Lively on the second effort and he gets the tip in to go. Under 2:00 to go. 

Tatum gets the pass in the paint, spins and throws it down with two hands!

Irving to the line after the foul on Holiday and he hits both FTs. 

Washington is called for an offensive foul on a screen, and White knocks down a three ball off the kick out from Holiday!

Tatum missed the runner but Brown was there for the put back underneath. 

Irving pulls up from the elbow and hits the shot with a hand in his face. 

The call stands and Luka is done for the night. 

Luka was called for a foul on Brown down low, and the Mavs are going to challenge the call with 4:38 to go in the 4th. 

Timeout Mavs with 5:25 to go in the 4th quarter!

Irving got fouled on a three pointer by Hoilday, and Kyrie hits all three FTs. He's got 31 on the night! It's a 20-2 run for DAL!

Doncic drives and flips it back to Washington in the corner for three!

Irving puts it on the deck and he floats it up and in with the right hand. 

Brown fades away and hits the tough shot in the lane over Luka. 

Washington to the line after the foul on Brown and he hits both FTs. 

NBA

Is Luka Doncic a defensive liability for Dallas Mavericks vs Boston Celtics?

Luka Doncic has done everything for the Dallas Mavericks. Well almost everything. Our Paul Rudder says one crucial part of his game is costing the Mavs in this series. 

Green was left open from the wing and he strokes the three ball! We might still have a game on our hands. 

Timeout Celtics with 8:23 to go in the 4th quarter!

Doncic missed the three but Lively was there for the tip in. 

Doncic backs Pritchard to the iron and he lays it up and in over him. 

Washington hits a much needed three ball out of the timeout, but is it too late for the Mavs?

White jacks a three ball from the wing and adds fuel to the fire!

Timeout Mavs with 11:06 to go in the 4th!

Brown in the corner and he hits another three off the kickout from Tatum!

WE ARE HEADED TO THE FOURTH QUARTER!!

BOS went 13/20 from the field and outscored DAL 35-19 in that quarter!

Brown spits the seam and soars for the biggest dunk of this Finals series! He cocked it back and punished the rim!

White with a deep three ball and he BANKS IT IN!!!

Washington was dared to shoot it and he drills the three from the top of the key!

White to the line after the foul on Green and he hits both FTs. 

Irving answers back with a much needed deep two from the corner. 

Kick out from Brown to Tillman and he strokes it on his first three point attempt of the playoffs!

Brown steps back from the elbow and he hits the jumper after the between the legs dribble. 

Brown to the line after the foul on Kleber and he hits both FTs. 

Timeout Celtics with 3:50 to go in the 3rd quarter. 

Doncic puts it on the deck and uses the reverse off the glass. 

Doncic going strong to the rack and he lays it up in traffic. 

Hardaway got blocked which led to a Holiday fast break that ended with a Tatum jam!

Brown was left open in the corner and he drills a long ball! He's got 7 in the second half already. 

Irving pulls the trigger in the paint and the fader falls. 

Tatum looks down low for Brown who throws it down on the baseline. 

Holiday had some space and pulled the trigger from downtown!

Kyrie answers back with a floater in the paint. 

Brown in traffic and he floats it up and in after contact from Kyrie. 

Doncic to the line after the foul on White and he hits both FTs. 

Back door cut from Tatum and White found him for the easy lay in. 

Kyrie missed the lay up but Gafford was there for the tip slam!

White drives in the lane and lays it off for Holiday for the lay in. 

Doncic drives to the bucket with Tatum on his shoulder and he lays it up and in off the glass. 

Brown starts the half with a pull up from the mid range and Boston would like to see him get more involved in the second half. 

WE ARE BACK IN DALLAS FOR THE SECOND HALF OF ACTION!

Tatum has not had a good shooting series, but it appears all he needed to do was leave Boston. He got hot in a hurry to start Game 3. Tatum had 13 in the first quarter and goes into halftime with 20. It's Tatum vs. Kyrie so far. Both have 20 heading into the second half. 

Brown has been the best player in the series, but in the first half of Game 3, but this lay up gave Boston their first lead as Boston went on a 20-6 run to end the first quarter and start the second. 

The lead stretched up to 13 in the first quarter, but that would only last a brief moment. Luka had 13 and Kyrie had 9 in the first quarter. 

These shots weren't falling for Kyrie in the first two games. Tonight, in front of his home crowd, on his own rims he's getting them do drop. He and Doncic were unstoppable in that first half, and that helped them get up double digits early on. 

The Mavs surely stressed getting Kyrie involved early in the game, and they wasted no time putting the ball in his hands to start the game. 

WE ARE HEADED TO HALFTIME WITH THE MAVERICKS LEADING BY A POINT!

Washington pulls down the offensive rebound and he gets fouled by Holiday. He hits one of two FTs with under 10 seconds to go in the half. 

Brown running the break and and lays it off for Tatum for the lay up over Luka. 

Washinton finds Lively underneath and the youngster dlams it home!

Horford from the corner and he drills it off the extra pass from Holiday. 

Doncic pulls up from the elbow and hits it out of the timeout. 

Holiday follows up the missed three from Horford and he puts it back up and in before the defense could close down. 

Timeout Mavs with 2:29 to go in the first half. 

Luka in the lane and he hits his patented fader from close range. 

Hauser silences the crowd with a quick trigger three ball! He's 3/3 from DT. 

Irving with back to back three step backs from long range and he bangs home another three! He's got 20 on the night!

Irving off the dribble and he steps back for three over Hauser!

Tatum down the lane and he side steps around a defender for the lay up from the left side. 

Irving drives and dumps it off for Gafford who smashes down a two handed slam!

Tatum pull up from long range and he strokes the three ball, his third of the night!

Irving spots up from the corner and drills a three ball over Pritchard. 

Out of bounds for Dallas under the Celtics basket, but Boston is going to challenge the call. 

White was wide open from the wing and he finally gets his first FG to drop. 

Irving back in the lane and he gets the floater to fall with the left hand. He's already in double digits. 

Brown caught Luka sleeping and cut to the bucket for the lay up after the Horford pass. 

WE ARE AT THE END OF THE FIRST QUARTER!

Dallas led by as many as 13 but that lead has been cut to 1 after Tatum's 13 and Hauser has 6 off the bench. 

Doncic has 13 for Dallas and Irving has another 9. 

Doncic missed the three ball and White found Tatum all the way down court for a slam right before the first quarter buzzer. 

Hauser drills another three ball, this time fro the top of the key and he's got two of those already. 

Doncic to the line after the foul on Hauser and he hits both FTs. 

Exum finds a seam and explodes to the bucket for a one handed jam!

Tatum to the line after the foul on Exum and he hits both FTs. 

Doncic fades away and drills it from the elbow over Hauser. 

Hauser pump fakes and drills a three ball from the corner after the kick out from Brown!

Lively called for a defensive three seconds and Tatum hits the FT. 

Tatum gets the roll off the front of the rim from three point range and the Mavs are going to call a timeout with 3:23 to go in the first quarter. 

Brown running the break and went right at Kyrie for the lay up from the left side. 

Brown fouled by Irving on the three and he hits two of three FTs. 

Irving pulls up from way downtown and finally hits a three pointer in the Finals!

Tatum pulls up off the dribble and strokes a three from the top of the key. 

Lively catches the lob from Luka on the run and laid it up and got the foul! FT is good. 

Doncic banging his way to the paint and gets the short runner to fall. 

Tatum gets on the board for the first time with a lay up in the lane after the find from White. 

Irving takes Horford off the dribble and floats up a tear drop that scraped the rafters. 

Doncic scoops it up with the right hand after crossing up Tatum at the three point line. 

Holiday on the step back from the baseline and he hits it over Doncic. 

Washington running the break and he lobs it up for Gafford who slammed it down with Brown defending him down low. 

Irving gets back into the lane and puts it up and over White after the pump fake in the paint. 

Horford comes out of the timeout and drills a three ball from the corner and he's got all 5 points for Boston. 

Doncic muscles his way to the basket and lays it up and over Holiday. 

Celtics need a timeout less than two minutes into this game. 

Jones picks off Tatum and takes it all the way for a transition lay up. 

Doncic introduces himself to the game with a spot up three from the wing. 

Horford gets on the board with a floater in the lane after the dump pass from Brown on the baseline. 

Kyrie Irving gets his night started with a lay up for the first bucket of the night and the Mavs needed to see that. They need to see more of that all night. 

GAME 3 IS UNDERWAY FROM DALLAS!!!

Mavs starters

Game 1 got away from the Mavs at the end of the first quarter, but the starters did a good job at the beginning of  Game 2. What the Mavs need now are closers. It's Luka and Kyrie joined by Jones, Washington and Gafford. Everyone needs to step up tonight and help Luka out on the offensive end. 

Celtics starters

With no Kristaps Porzingis the Celtics lose depth and a weapon off the bench but nothing changes to their starting five that they have had for the majority of these playoffs. It's Al Horford, who has done a marvelous job filling in, joined by Tatum, Brown, White and Holiday. 

NBA

Jerry West dies at 86: The Lakers legend who became ‘the logo’

RIP Jerry West

We would be remiss if we didn't mention the passing of a basketball legend. Jerry West passed away earlier today after a long and illustrious life on and off he court. Mr. Clutch knows a thing about winning the NBA Finals. He also knows a thing or two about being the face and symbol of the league. Our Joe Brennan has more. 

NBA

How many teams have been swept in the NBA Finals?

Another Finals sweep in store?

The Dallas Mavericks are looking for their second title in franchise history, but before they can start to fantasize about lifting the Larry O’Brien Trophy they need to win a game. The Mavs looked rattled in the first couple games in Boston, and they need to sort that out tonight or risk getting swept in the NBA Finals. While sweeps aren’t something that we have come to expect in the Finals it does happen from time to time. The last one came when the Warriors beat Cavaliers back in 2018. Here is a look at the entire list of sweeps. 

NBA

Was Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd playing ‘mind games?’ He says no

No trickery from Kidd

After Game 1, Jason Kidd had some very complimentary words for the Celtics leading scorer in the series opener. He said that Jaylen Brown is the best player on the team, which immediately made headlines and sparked debate on who was Boston's top option. When asked about his statements in the hours leading up to Game 3, he said he wasn't trying to play mind games, merely giving credit where credit is due. Our Paul Rudder has more. 

Porzingis a late scratch

When the Boston Celtics brought in Kristaps Porzingis last offseason, I doubt anyone would have envisioned him playing as important of a part as he played in Game 1 of the series. He came back from a calf strain after 40 days and had one of the best first halves of his life. Last game the Celtics got a scare after he got tangled up under the rim and went down with a grimace on his face before limping down the court. He would continue playing, but the discomfort was noticeable. He has been diagnosed with a “rare injury” that is not connected with the calf strain he suffered against the Heat in the first round. He was listed as day to day, but less than an hour ago, we got word that he will not play in Game 3. 

Who is helping Luka?

Luka Doncic can only do so much. Not even a 32 point triple double was enough for the Mavs to pull out a victory against the Celtics last game. He needs help and he needs it ASAP. The most obvious choice to step up and play side kick is Kyrie Irving. The former Celtics had a couple of forgettable games from the field in front of the fans that used to wear his jersey at TD Garden. While the shooting is understandable, one thing that we aren’t used to see is Kyrie turn the ball over. One of the greatest ball handlers of all time has been uncharacteristically sloppy with his dribble and passing the ball. We have seen him bouncing the ball off his feet, getting stripped of possession and passing it out of bounds with no one in the area. Beating the Celtics is hard enough, but when half of your tag team duo isn’t bringing it, that makes it impossible to win. 

https://x.com/dallasmavs/status/1801027931549909227

Celtics shining in spotlight

This is the portion of the preview where we talk about the star watch for each team, but the Celtics have made it awfully difficult to select just one star. In the first game it was Kristaps Porzingis who stole the show in the first half, dropping 18 points after being sidelined for almost 40 days. Jrue Holiday was the hero of Game 2 scoring 26 points in the much closer contest on Sunday night. Jaylen Brown has been the constant, averaging 21.5 points while setting the tone on both ends. He has pushed the pace for his side on the offensive end while limiting Doncic on defense, coming up with a a handful of steals and a few big blocks that ignited the TD Garden. To say Jayson Tatum is having is poor series would be unfair. He’s not shooting the way he might like, but he has done everything else for his team. His shots will start falling, but until then he needs to keep doing what he’s been doing. 

Game 2 recap

After getting wiped out in the final three quarters of Game 1, the Dallas Mavericks at least made it competitive in Game 2 but the difference in depth was evident again on Sunday night. While Luka Doncic was left to carry the team all on his own, the Celtics had an arsenal of weapons the devastated the Mavs starting with Jrue Holiday. The former NBA champ rose to the occasion scoring 26 points, picking apart the Dallas defense with surgical runs to the rim when double teams came on Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Tatum was an assist away from a triple double while Brown had 21 and 7 assists but Luka’s triple double kept the game close until the final minutes. With under a minute to go, up five, Derrick White had a huge block on PJ Washington which ended the Mavs comeback bid and put Boston up two games to the good before heading south for the next two games. 

We are live from Dallas

Hello everyone and welcome to American Airline Center where the Dallas Mavericks know what’s at stake tonight. No team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit, and they want to avoid that undesirable situation and get a win tonight in front of their home fans. Luka Doncic has been great, but he will be hoping to get some help from his teammates against a Boston team that has seen their role players rise to the occasion and lead the Celtics to victory in the first two games. Jayson Tatum has yet to find his stroke, and if he gets hot tonight the Mavs could be in big trouble tonight. Will the Mavs pull a game back on the C’s or will it be Boston adding to the Mavs misery?

Celtics vs. Mavs live

The NBA Finals moves south after a couple of dominant performances by the Celtics in Boston last week. The Mavericks are on the cusp of digging a hole too deep to climb out of, down 0-2, which makes tonight’s game a must win for the home team. Luka Doncic and the Mavs know there is no room for error against Jayson Tatum and the Celtics tonight and AS English will be with you all night providing live coverage, stats, highlights and analysis of Game 3.