DALLAS. – The Boston Celtics, one win away from sweeping the NBA finals, insist they won’t get overconfident.
They only need to look back at the fourth quarter of Game 3 to see how dangerous the Dallas Mavericks can be.
Jayson Tatum poured in 31 points and Jaylen Brown supplied 30 as the Celtics held off a late rally by the Mavericks for a 106-99 victory on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila).
By taking a commanding 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series, Boston pulled within one victory of the 18th title in franchise history. The Celtics will have a chance to complete the sweep on Friday (Saturday in Manila) when they collide with the Mavericks in Dallas for Game 4.
“We are not relaxing or anything like that,” Tatum said. “You know, not even focusing on winning or whatever. However long it takes, that’s our motto. However long it takes, that’s what it’s going to take. Nobody is trying to relax at all.”
Tatum bounced back after totaling just 34 points in Games 1 and 2. Brown added eight rebounds and eight assists for Boston, which also got 16 points from Derrick White. Big man Kristaps Porzingis (lower leg) didn’t play after getting injured in the third quarter of Game 2.
Like Tatum, Kyrie Irving made up for a lackluster showing in each of the first two games of the series, and he paced the Mavericks with a game-high 35 points. Luka Doncic went for 27 points, six boards and six assists, but he dealt a critical blow to Dallas’ comeback hopes by fouling out with 4:12 left in the game.
The Mavericks challenged the foul on Doncic, but the call stood, forcing him from the game. Doncic picked up four of his six fouls in the fourth quarter.
“We couldn’t play physically,” he said. “I don’t want to say anything. You know, six fouls in the NBA finals, basically I’m like this (motions with palms out). C’mon, man. Better than that.”
