Boston Celtics Control NBA Finals with 3-0 Lead Over Dallas Mavericks

The Boston Celtics are on the brink of securing their 18th NBA championship after taking a commanding 3-0 lead over the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were pivotal in the Celtics’ 106-99 victory on Wednesday night, each delivering standout performances. Tatum scored 31 points, while Brown contributed 30 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists.

The win, which marked Boston’s 10th consecutive playoff victory, puts the Celtics just one win away from breaking their tie with the Lakers for the most NBA championships. They can clinch the title with a victory in Dallas on Friday.

Despite nearly squandering a 21-point lead with 11 minutes left, the Celtics’ resilience shone through. Tatum remarked, “The game of basketball is about runs. It’s never going to go as you expected. If you want to be a champion, you must be resilient in those situations, and we did that tonight.”

The Celtics’ impressive playoff run continues even without Kristaps Porzingis, who was sidelined with a tendon injury in his lower left leg sustained in Game 2. Boston has a 10-1 record in these playoffs without Porzingis.

While the Mavericks made a valiant effort to stage a comeback, reducing a 21-point deficit to just one point with 3:30 remaining, they ultimately fell short. Luka Doncic fouled out with 4:12 remaining, and despite Kyrie Irving’s 35-point effort, Dallas couldn’t complete the rally.

No team in NBA history has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit in the playoffs, making Boston’s position exceptionally strong as they head into Game 4.