With 10:18 remaining in Wednesday’s Game 3, the Mavericks led 21. The Boston Celtics supporters, attending a watch party, brought out the bubbly. And with good reason. It was all written on the wall.
That was before Kyrie Irving’s 17-foot pull-up jumper turned a 91-70 Celtics lead into a 93-92 game as Jason Kidd’s club answered with a 22-2 surge.
Some Mavs fans were reminded of Game 2 of the 2011 Finals, where Dirk Nowitzki’s team was trailing the Heat 15 points with 7:14 remaining, but they rallied for a 22-5 run that won the game, as the Mavs were mounting their comeback.
But these Celtics were not going to allow the past to happen again.
The Celtics fiercely contested every shot made by the Mavericks in the final five minutes, limiting them to 3-of-10 shooting. Irving missed two attempts that he would have regularly made around the rim.
Some would minimize Boston’s victory by arguing that Dallas’ momentum was stopped when Luka Doncic fouled out with 4:12 remaining. That evaluation, meanwhile, would miss the reality that Boston’s defense was solid even during Dallas’ 22-2 spurt. The electrified audience was merely providing food for the Mavericks.
The Celtics felt they would be fine if they could just weather the Mavericks’ fury.
This is how basketball is played. They had some momentum and went on a run, but we maintained our composure,” Jaylen Brown remarked following the victory. “We made timely baskets and found a way to win.”
Throughout the season, the Celtics developed strong habits that helped them weather the storm.
Give these guys the rings they so richly deserve.
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