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The Boston Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks, 106-99, in Game 3 of the NBA Finals Presented by YouTube TV to take a 3-0 series lead. The Mavericks mounted a fourth quarter comeback as they trailed by 21 points (91-70) at the 10:21 mark of the fourth quarter to make it a 93-92 game with 3:37 to go. Boston held off despite being outscored 29-21 in the final quarter.
Jayson Tatum led Boston with 31 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists while Jaylen Brown added 30 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists. Derrick White added 35 points and 3 rebounds for Boston. Kyrie Irving led the Mavericks with 35 points and 2 assists (4-6 3PT) while Luka Doncic added 27 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists prior to fouling out. Dereck Lively II totaled 11 points (5-6 FG) and 13 rebounds in the win.
Game 4 will take place in Dallas on Friday, June 14 (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC).
Game Notes
• This is just the second time a Boston Celtics duo have scored 30+ PTS in a Finals game. Jaylen Brown (30 PTS) and Jayson Tatum (31 PTS) join John Havlicek and Bailey Howell:
o May 2, 1968: BOS at LAL - John Havlicek (40 PTS) and Bailey Howell (30 PTS).
o It's just the 40th time a duo has had 30+ PTS each in a NBA Finals game.
• With the Game 3 victory, Boston has now extended their postseason franchise-best win streak to 10 consecutive games. They are just the ninth team to win 10 or more consecutive games in a single postseason.
• The two most recent teams to reach this mark were the Golden State Warriors (15 straight) and the Cleveland Cavaliers (10 straight) in the 2017 Playoffs.
• Four of the previous eight teams won the NBA Finals that year:
o 2017 Golden State Warriors 15 – (Won Finals)
o 1999 San Antonio Spurs 12 – (Won Finals)
o 2001 Los Angeles Lakers 11 – (Won Finals)
o 1989 Los Angeles Lakers 11 – (Lost Finals)
o 2017 Cleveland Cavaliers 10 – (Lost Finals)
o 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers 10 – (Won Finals)
o 2012 San Antonio Spurs 10 – (Lost WCF)
o 2003 New Jersey Nets 10 – (Lost Finals)
o 2024 Boston Celtics 10 – (Up 3-0 in Finals)
• The Celtics also move to 7-0 on the road during this year’s playoffs.
