Boston Celtics vs Dallas Mavericks Player Stats and Box Scores for June 12 | 2024 NBA Finals Game 3
The Dallas Mavericks gave the Boston Celtics a big scare in Game 3 of the NBA Finals but eventually lost 106-99 on Wednesday.
Luka Doncic, who was called for his sixth foul with a little over four minutes left, watched helplessly from the sideline as Kyrie Irving alone wasn't enough to overhaul Boston's 21-point fourth-quarter lead.
Jaylen Brown took over in the second half after Jayson Tatum kept the Celtics in the game in the first half. Tatum's 20 points to start the game prevented the Mavericks from building a big lead. Brown's 24 points after the halftime break were the push the visitors needed to go up 3-0 in the series.
Boston Celtics vs Dallas Mavericks game player stats and box scores
Boston Celtics game player stats and box scores
Dallas Mavericks game player stats and box scores
Boston Celtics vs Dallas Mavericks Game Summary
The Dallas Mavericks roared out of the gates, racing to a 22-9 lead midway through the first quarter. It seemed like the Boston Celtics couldn’t do anything right, missing wide-open shots and failing to match the hosts’ energy. However, the Cs slowly battled back to trail 31-30 after the first 12 minutes.
Jayson Tatum, after scoring 13 points combined in the first half of Games 1 and 2, kept the Celtics in Game 3 with 20 points. The visitors needed every one of those points after Irving and Luka Doncic scattered 37 points together during the same stretch. Boston was only behind 51-50 leading into the halftime break.
The Boston Celtics put together their best 12 minutes in Game 3 in the third quarter. Behind Jaylen Brown's 14 points and collective stout defense, Boston won the frame 35-19. After trailing by 13 points in the first half, the Cs headed into the final quarter with an 85-70 advantage.
Boston continued to pour it on to start the fourth quarter behind back-to-back 3-pointers by Brown and Derrick White. Mavs coach Jason Kidd was forced to an early timeout when the lead ballooned to 91-70.
The ceasefire worked like a charm as the Mavericks regrouped to go on a crippling 22-2 run. Kyrie Irving's 17-foot jumper cut the deficit to 93-92. However, Dallas was forced to try and complete the rally without Luka Doncic, who was called for his sixth foul with 4:12 remaining.
Brown and White again came to Boston's rescue to give the Boston Celtics a little more breathing room. The former's tip off a Jayson Tatum miss and the latter's 3-pointer made it 98-92.
The Dallas Mavericks put together their last rally to make it 100-98 after Dereck Lively II's dunk. Another Jaylen Brown basket and four free throws from Derrick White and Tatum sealed the win for the Celtics.
Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic 3-pointers tonight
Jayson Tatum was very aggressive, hoisting 13 shots from deep and connecting with four of them. Jaylen Brown supported him with a 2-for-9 clip.
Luka Doncic had a miserable night from long range, sinking just one of seven tries. Kyrie Irving carried the cudgels for the Mavs from behind the arc, making 4-of-6 attempts.