WEB Celtics hold off Mavericks to lead NBA Finals 3-0 as Luka Dončić fouls out late
DALLAS
If the dynamics of this series were going to shift in any way, Game 3 was the night for it to happen. The Dallas Mavericks were back home after dropping the first two games of the NBA Finals on the road, and they had a chance to cut into Boston's series lead with a win in front of their home crowd.
But the Celtics had other plans. They came out strong in the first quarter and never looked back, leading by as many as 20 points at one point in the game. The Mavericks made a late run in the fourth quarter, but it was too little too late. The Celtics held on to win 117-103, taking a 3-0 lead in the series.
Jayson Tatum led the way for the Celtics with 29 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. Jaylen Brown added 22 points, and Marcus Smart had 18 points.
Kristaps Porziņģis led the Mavericks with 23 points and 12 rebounds. Luka Dončić had 22 points, but he fouled out with just over two minutes remaining in the game.
The Celtics now have a chance to close out the series in Game 4 on Tuesday night. The Mavericks will need to find a way to win at least one game on the road if they want to extend the series.
Box score
Boston Celtics
Jayson Tatum: 29 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists
Jaylen Brown: 22 points
Marcus Smart: 18 points
Al Horford: 15 points, 10 rebounds
Robert Williams III: 10 points, 8 rebounds
Dallas Mavericks
Kristaps Porziņģis: 23 points, 12 rebounds
Luka Dončić: 22 points
Spencer Dinwiddie: 17 points
Dorian Finney-Smith: 13 points
Maxi Kleber: 11 points
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