Top 5 things Dallas Mavericks must do to win Game 5 in Boston and extend NBA Finals
Facing elimination in Game 4, the Dallas Mavericks delivered a dominant performance, defeating the Boston Celtics by 38 points—the third-largest margin in NBA Finals history, surpassed only by Chicago's 96-54 win over Utah in 1998 and the Celtics' 131-92 victory over the LA Lakers in 2008.
Despite the win, the Dallas Mavericks still face the formidable challenge of overcoming a 3-0 deficit, a feat no team in NBA history has achieved.
While the Celtics are considered the more well-rounded team, the total points from the first four games show the Mavericks outscoring the Celtics 408-402.
With the Celtics leading the series 3-1 and Game 5 scheduled for Monday in Boston, here are five key strategies the Dallas Mavericks should employ to win Game 5 and extend the NBA Finals.
5 things the Dallas Mavericks must do to win Game 5
#1, Luka Doncic needs to stay focused
Luka Doncic faced heavy criticism after fouling out in Game 3, where his defensive struggles were spotlighted. In Game 4, he rebounded with 25 points in the first half and finished with 29 points, five assists, five rebounds and three steals in 32 minutes.
Doncic must maintain his focus and contribute on both ends of the court in Game 5 to keep the Mavericks' hopes alive.
#2, Exploit Porzingis’ absence
Post-trade deadline, the Dallas Mavericks were likened to the second coming of Lob City due to their guards' synergy with their big men.
With Kristaps Porzingis absent in Game 4, the Mavericks' bigs combined for 24 points. They should capitalize on this advantage, especially with Al Horford being the primary defender in the paint and Porzingis' status uncertain for Game 5.
#3, Dominate the paint
While the Celtics excel at outside shooting, controlling the paint was crucial for the Mavericks' Game 4 victory. According to John Schuhmann, the Celtics shot 13-for-33 (39.3%) in the paint in Game 4, their worst performance of the season, which dropped to 8-for-22 (36.3%) before the starters were benched late in the third quarter.
Locking down the paint will also limit the drives of Boston stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who managed just 25 points on 22 shots in Game 4.
#4, Boost bench production
Tim Hardaway Jr. was scoreless in the first three games but erupted with five three-pointers, contributing 15 points and three rebounds in 12 minutes in Game 4. Dante Exum added 10 points in 13 minutes, and Maxi Kleber and Jaden Hardy combined for 10 points.
With Doncic and Kyrie Irving leading the starting lineup, continued bench productivity is crucial for Game 5.
#5, Another strong performance from Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving struggled in the first two games of the Finals, scoring 12 points on 19 shots in Game 1 and 16 points on 18 shots in Game 2. However, he bounced back with 35 points in Game 3 and 21 points on 18 shots in Game 4, showcasing his proficiency in driving to the paint.
As the Mavericks' clear No. 2 option, Irving needs to deliver another stellar performance to prove his championship caliber in Game 5.