Mavericks Overpower Celtics In Game 4 To Extend NBA Finals

Luka Dončić delivered an impressive performance, scoring 25 of his 29 points in the first half, leading the Dallas Mavericks to a commanding 122-84 victory over the Boston Celtics. This win in Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Friday night prevented a sweep and extended the series to Game 5 in Boston on Monday night.

Kyrie Irving contributed 21 points, while Tim Hardaway Jr. added 15 points, all in the fourth quarter. The Mavericks established a 13-point lead after the first quarter, extended it to 26 by halftime, and led by as many as 38 points in the third quarter before both teams cleared their benches.

Dereck Lively recorded a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds, including his first career three-pointer midway through the first quarter. The final margin of 38 points ranks as the third-largest in NBA Finals history, following Chicago's 96-54 win over Utah in 1998 and Boston's 131-92 victory over the Lakers in 2008.

Jayson Tatum led Boston with 15 points, and Sam Hauser added 14. The Celtics' shooting woes were evident as they managed only 36.3 percent (29 for 80) from the field and were outrebounded 52-31. Their first-half total of 35 points was their lowest under coach Joe Mazzulla's two-season tenure. Additionally, the 26-point halftime deficit marked Boston's largest ever in an NBA Finals game.

The Mavericks' dominant performance has set up a crucial Game 5 in Boston, where both teams will look to gain an edge in this fiercely contested series.