The Boston Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks, 106-99, in Game 3 of the NBA Finals Presented by YouTube TV to take a 3-0 series lead. The Mavericks mounted a fourth quarter comeback as they trailed by 21 points (91-70) at the 10:21 mark of the fourth quarter to make it a 93-92 game with 3:37 to go. Boston held off despite being outscored 29-21 in the final quarter.
Jayson Tatum led Boston with 31 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists while Jaylen Brown added 30 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists. Derrick White added 35 points and 3 rebounds for Boston. Kyrie Irving led the Mavericks with 35 points and 2 assists (4-6 3PT) while Luka Doncic added 27 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists prior to fouling out. Dereck Lively II totaled 11 points (5-6 FG) and 13 rebounds in the win.
Game 4 will take place in Dallas on Friday, June 14 (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC).
Game Notes
• This is just the second time a Boston Celtics duo have scored 30+ PTS in a Finals game. Jaylen Brown (30 PTS) and Jayson Tatum (31 PTS) join John Havlicek and Bailey Howell:
o May 2, 1968: BOS at LAL – John Havlicek (40 PTS) and Bailey Howell (30 PTS).
o It’s just the 40th time a duo has had 30+ PTS each in a NBA Finals game.
• With the Game 3 victory, Boston has now extended their postseason franchise-best win streak to 10 consecutive games. They are just the ninth team to win 10 or more consecutive games in a single postseason.
• The two most recent teams to reach this mark were the Golden State Warriors (15 straight) and the Cleveland Cavaliers (10 straight) in the 2017 Playoffs.
• Four of the previous eight teams won the NBA Finals that year:
o 2017 Golden State Warriors 15 – (Won Finals)
o 1999 San Antonio Spurs 12 – (Won Finals)
o 2001 Los Angeles Lakers 11 – (Won Finals)
o 1989 Los Angeles Lakers 11 – (Lost Finals)
o 2017 Cleveland Cavaliers 10 – (Lost Finals)
o 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers 10 – (Won Finals)
o 2012 San Antonio Spurs 10 – (Lost WCF)
o 2003 New Jersey Nets 10 – (Lost Finals)
o 2024 Boston Celtics 10 – (Up 3-0 in Finals)
• The Celtics also move to 7-0 on the road during this year’s playoffs.
@Calderman96
June 12, 2024 at 11:49 pm
Let’s fucking go. Mad disrespect putting +moneyline on my Celtics made me a very happy man tonight.
@dsm577
June 12, 2024 at 11:59 pm
Would be so f epic if Boston choke this 3-0 lead.
@urbaindelva7869
June 13, 2024 at 12:10 am
Boston came back from a 0-3 deficit to force a Game 7 in the ECF last year. If any team knows how possible that is, it’s them. Obviously, Holiday, White, and Porzingis were not part of this team last year, but still.
@Jaesiane
June 13, 2024 at 12:00 am
You can’t call this a comeback if they failed. They didn’t even get the lead. Fck this shit it’s depressing to watch. Sweep it is boys. Congrats celtics.
@kourygibson1651
June 13, 2024 at 12:00 am
That’s Emitt Smith not Steve Nash who got crunk
@808aaq
June 13, 2024 at 12:01 am
That foul call on Luka was crazy
@LauraPierce-mm4sb
June 13, 2024 at 12:02 am
Is NOT a comeback, is a come short 😂😂😂
@GokuGod-wx6ir
June 13, 2024 at 12:07 am
Boston was less bang up from dat easy east run
@GuccixTheReaper
June 13, 2024 at 12:07 am
Then Luka fouls out 🤦🏽♂️Mavs defense is way better with Luka not in tho
@GuccixTheReaper
June 13, 2024 at 12:08 am
This not even the full come back the 2 buckets before this started it
@urbaindelva7869
June 13, 2024 at 12:11 am
I really thought the Celtics lost this game as soon as the Mavs brought it within 3. The Mavs were rolling, their crowd was raucous, and they had all the momentum. Credit to them, they still pulled it out, but it’s just another occasion where they give their fanbase a heart attack. I can’t see the Mavs getting swept, so I pick them to win Game 4.
@JerryNeutron
June 13, 2024 at 1:13 am
Then right after this they couldn’t hit a shot to save their lives
@justaguy328
June 13, 2024 at 1:25 am
Here I thought they actually came back and won. it’s not a comeback if you still lose lol
@tirsoprado9011
June 13, 2024 at 2:05 am
What comeback 😅😅😅 go go go go boston ❤❤❤❤
@imbecile29
June 13, 2024 at 3:36 am
as mavs fan lets be honest even if they have kyrie and luka they have young and inexperience role player. JB and JT fell short with the golden state in 2022 they deserve a chip. although i still bet 4-1 😅
@ConfusedChickens-ef6nt
June 13, 2024 at 5:09 am
It’s crazy how inconsistent these ref are😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 sometimes they can bump into each other hard then they can’t touch each other 😂😂😂
@antonypablo5665
June 13, 2024 at 5:55 am
Man, can anyone tell why an NBA team like Dallas in this series can’t play with a 100% effort on defense like they did in the 4th quarter (22-2 run) just for one given game – is it that hard?
@bonmam9511
June 13, 2024 at 6:35 am
You can only wonder what if Luka never fouled out
@AgentAika001
June 13, 2024 at 7:57 am
To quote the movie “Bring It On”
Dude! You just lost!
@RYSofficialchannel
June 13, 2024 at 8:07 am
It’s a wrap man…. i was rooting for the MAVS… but CELTIC are just FAR MORE SUPERIOR in ALL ASPECTS…
@justhere6507
June 13, 2024 at 8:47 am
Game 4 blowout domination masterclass performance
@ak1991_Prince
June 13, 2024 at 8:56 am
Refs screwed it. Let’s NBA fans enjoy a long series
@voncvv
June 13, 2024 at 11:00 am
I don’t see comback here
@DukesVerrill
June 13, 2024 at 8:33 pm
First to 100 or more wins…
@subandriodwi3099
June 13, 2024 at 11:52 pm
Back to nature