Mavericks beat Celtics to keep Finals series alive

The Dallas Mavericks kept their NBA Finals hopes live pinch a 122-84 triumph to contradict nan Boston Celtics a cleanable expanse successful nan best-of-seven title series.

Luka Doncic top-scored pinch 29 points while Kyrie Irving added 21 arsenic nan Mavericks ended their opponents' 10-game play-off winning streak and claimed nan third-largest triumph successful Finals history.

But they still person a upland to climb arsenic they effort to go nan first squad to travel from 3-0 down and triumph an NBA play-off series, pinch crippled 5 to travel successful Boston connected Tuesday (01:30 BST).

"We knew we person to get it, we can't suffer nary more," said nan Slovenian. "As we ever say, we're going to judge until nan end.

"I deliberation our power was measurement higher. Everybody was locked successful defensively."

Doncic and Irving helped their broadside spell 34-21 up aft nan first quarter, and they dominated defensively aft that to lead 61-35 astatine nan break.

The Mavs were up 92-57 erstwhile nan brace near nan crippled pinch 1 infinitesimal and 29 seconds near successful nan 3rd quarter.

Tim Hardaway Jr added 15 points disconnected nan chair for Dallas and 20-year-old rookie Dereck Lively II added 11.

Boston coach Joe Mazzulla besides took his starters retired successful nan 3rd play arsenic they looked towards crippled five, which will beryllium their adjacent chance to clinch an 18th NBA crown and break clear of a necktie pinch nan Los Angeles Lakers for nan astir titles.

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown managed only 15 and 10 points respectively for nan Celtics arsenic they suffered their worst nonaccomplishment successful Finals history.

"I thought they played pinch a ton of power and physicality," said Mazzulla. "And they are a awesome team, that's nan logic why they are present erstwhile they play for illustration that."