(sabasports resport) The NBA playoffs continue with the Dallas Mavericks saving a game point at home. Luka Doncic had 29 points, five rebounds and five assists, and Kyrie Irving added 21 points and six assists to lead the Celtics to a 122-84 victory over the Boston Celtics after dominating the first three quarters. The Mavericks improved to 1-3 overall and will return to Boston for Game 5 of the finals.
Daniel Gafford scored six straight points and P.J. Washington hit a 3-pointer as the Mavericks started the third quarter on a 9-3 mini-run to take a 70-38 lead. Although Sam Hauser made a jumper to stop the bleeding, Donic and Derrick Jones hit 3-pointers and Dereck Lively hit a free throw as the Mavericks extended their advantage 76-42. Despite 3-pointers from Derrick White and Justin Holiday each, Irving answered with six points and Lively scored again to give the Mavericks a 90-52 lead with 2:35 left in the quarter. Houser made two 3-pointers to end the third quarter with the Celtics trailing 60-92.
Dante Exum scored five straight points and Tim Hardaway Jr. hit a 3-pointer to give the Mavericks a 37-point lead, 100-63, in the final quarter. The Celtics scored four straight, but Hardaway got hot and hit two more 3-pointers to give the Mavericks a 106-67 lead four minutes into the quarter. After a timeout, the Mavericks continued to fire from the perimeter, with Hardaway and Jaden Hardy hitting three 3-pointers to stretch the advantage to 48. The Mavericks won 122-84 in the final period with both substitutes playing garbage time.