We are getting closer to the reckoning of these NBA Finals. Dallas won Game 4 in a landslide, extending the streak that would otherwise have guaranteed the title to Boston. On the shoulders of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, Jason Kidd’s franchise prevailed at home, giving a show of pride that could also leave some glimmer of hope for Game 5.
In the first three games the Celtics have always demonstrated superiority on the field, especially from the point of view of the game and the variety of solutions. Not just Tatum and Brown, the real key man for coach Mazzulla’s boys was Jrue Holiday, decisive both in defense and in the offensive phase. And a supporting cast of great value made up of Al Horford, White, Pritchard. What the Mavericks lacked is precisely the ability to involve the whole team. Only Doncic and Irving tried to counter the green-and-white battleship but, despite the Slovenian’s monumental performances, there was nothing they could do. A different story in Game 4 where Dallas pulled out their claws, winning 122-84 (29 Doncic points, 21 Irving points). A game in which Boston almost didn’t take the field. Now we return to Boston, to the TD Garden, where the Celtics have the chance to close the series and secure their 18th ring. Dallas will try to extend the series further, and then perhaps hope for a draw at home and ride the dream of the second title in the history of the franchise.
