NBA Playoffs 2023/24, NBA Finals, Game 4, Saturday, 15.06.2024
All others who want to know in my Mavericks Celtics tip whether the NBA Finals will officially end with Game 4, I will answer briefly and concisely with a yes, including a big exclamation mark!
After the 107:89, the 105:98 and yesterday’s 106:99, we know that the NBA Finals will be decided in favor of the Celtics sooner or later with a 3:0 lead in the bag.
The only question I still have is whether the series will return to Boston one last time or whether the final decision will be made in Game 4.
But after everything that was revealed to me the last time these two teams met on the floor, I strongly suspect that the lid will be put on it on Friday!
The expected explosion of performance from Kyrie Irving came, but from the Mavericks’ point of view it didn’t lead to the desired result. Meanwhile, Boston dominated at the other end, even without Porzingis at the board
After complaining for a week that his contribution to the Mavericks’ team output in this series was not high enough, Kyrie Irving produced another of his usual irresistible performances in Game 3.
He scored a total of 28 points in the first two games, but then suddenly scored 35 in the third.
In any case, he was unstoppable on Thursday! He shook off defenders and hit step-back shots. But in the end, even this show of strength did not help Dallas to victory.
Because when Doncic retired with four minutes left, Irving briefly brought the Mavericks to within one point, but the Celtics forced him to make passes, meaning he only made two more free throws.
Thus, the longed-for last-minute overtaking maneuver could not be completed …
On the other side, the Celtics were again without Porzingis due to injury – ironically the same problem that overshadowed his time with the Mavericks. But that didn’t affect the outcome of Game 3 in the slightest.
Al Horford and, surprisingly, Xavier Tillman were enough to prevent the Mavericks from gaining an advantage. Porzingis had particularly shone as a ring protector in Games 1 and 2.
Yet even without the Latvian, there were no numerous dunks by Mavs players such as Lively, Gafford and Co. Horford even recorded two steals and a block.
Tillman, who was only signed by Memphis in the middle of the season, was brought on during the game and responded with two blocks and his first three-pointer of these playoffs in 11 minutes of action.
Given the importance and situation, however, it may have been the most important 11 minutes of his career.
In short: When they are involved and have to deliver, all of the C’s bench players perform at a surprisingly high level!
The opposing coach doesn’t have that kind of depth! In a desperate decision, Mavs coach Jason Kidd brought Tim Hardaway Jr. out of obscurity and gave him more playing time in Game 3.
Hardaway had only been on the floor for 27 minutes so far in this series and his contribution yesterday was abysmal (0).
Kidd, however, was feverishly searching for answers as the role players again largely disappointed.
Daniel Gafford, P.J. Washington, Dereck Lively II, Derrick Jones Jr – players who had proven themselves in previous playoff rounds and made Doncic’s life easier – remained unremarkable at best.
Obviously, they couldn’t keep up with what the Celtics had to offer for their part.
During the last two games, the two teams were separated by a maximum of seven points on the scoreboard, which is certainly not the world.
So there’s certainly no discernible difference in class and with the pressure of having to win this game at all costs, the Mavs could briefly rise above themselves.
That’s what happened to the Timberwolves in the previous round, when they came back from a 3-0 deficit to win Game 4. At that time, I placed a profitable Mavericks Timberwolves tip because I knew what unexpected forces such a difficult starting position can unleash …
However, the Mavericks Celtics odds are throwing a spanner in the works here. At least they don’t have the same incentives as the lucrative European Championship free bets to make me want to put my trust in the Texans.
After everything I’ve told you so far, it should have gotten through to you that the Celtics have already won Game 3 without the help of one of their most important players, while Kyrie Irving put in an outstanding performance on the other side.
As a result, I can’t get much out of favouring the Mavs on the betting markets at around 1.85 odds. I’d rather stick with the “underdog”, who has already won the first three games and wants to put the lid on it tonight
Conclusion: This series is over, that much I can already tell you. It would be the first time in the history of the NBA play-offs that a team would recover from a 3-0 deficit. And in the final? No way!
If the Mavericks Celtics odds were the other way around, I would actually trust the Texans to win. Because I’m expecting a heart-stopping final and I know how well teams can perform when their backs are suddenly against the wall.
However, Boston have always been a nose ahead of their opponents so far and since the oddsmakers have them at underdog odds, I almost feel compelled to place an away win bet here.
My – for this season probably last – Mavericks Celtic tip is therefore: Boston wins with handicap -1.5.
