Mavericks' blowout win makes previous missed opportunities tougher to swallow

The Celtics shot 36.3 percent for the game, their worst field-goal percentage in the postseason since May 1, 2022. 

However, instead of being a pivotal moment in the series, Game 4 will likely quickly become a footnote once the Celtics win one of the three remaining games.

No team in NBA history has ever come back from a 0-3 playoff deficit, and it's hard to see this Celtics team being the first to blow the thus-far insurmountable lead.

That's a shame. If the Mavericks had taken advantage of the Celtics' rough three-point shooting in Game 2 or Luka Doncic hadn't fouled out of Game 3, this series might still be up for grabs.

Dallas locked in defensively in a way it hadn't in the series' first three games. Irving tied Celtics forward Jayson Tatum up in the second quarter and drew a foul on one possession.

In the third, center Daniel Gafford closed out on a Tatum three-point attempt for a block and also drew a foul on the ensuing loose ball.

The Mavericks intentionally attacked inside with Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (left leg) limited. Through three quarters, they had 54 points in the paint; in the series' first three games, they averaged 50.7 paint points per game.

Between the third and fourth quarters, Mavs center Dereck Lively II spoke with ESPN's Lisa Salters and explained what was different for his team on Friday.

"Just coming out here and being the aggressor," he said before adding, "This is the type of basketball the Mavericks play." If only they played this type of basketball the entire series.