The Dallas Mavericks put up a fight and won against the Boston Celtics in Game 4 on Friday to force another game in the NBA finals.
“You know, I’ve been in a lot of these, and usually by the second game you’re making adjustments,” Horford said.
“Third game, you’re making another adjustment, and that’s kind of how it is. And for us, we’ve had the first three games, we didn’t really make any adjustments. So today, they did something. We have to see how we can be better and prepare for it.”
Dallas, facing elimination, thrashed the Celtics 122-84 in Friday’s Game 4. It was a reminder that the Mavericks were not to be joked with.
They were the team that earned this final berth by merit. It just took too long for them to get here.
“We had to play our A game,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. “It was this or we go on vacation.”
Dallas team lost Game 2 despite Boston’s abnormally poor shooting performance and fell in Game 3 despite long stretches as the dominant team.
Dereck Lively II grabbed 11 points and 12-rebound, establishing himself as one of the most important players for the Mavericks.
He also hit his first career 3-pointer on an open look from the right corner, which makes him the youngest player to hit such a look in the Finals. The last time an NBA player made his first-ever 3 in the Finals was the Lakers’ Josh Powell in 2009.
Even after Friday’s win, Dallas still must win three straight games against a team that has proved its merit. However, the Celtics would surely put up a fight.
“We waited until Game 4 to ultimately play our best game,” Irving said.
“But we have another opportunity to extend the season. That’s all we can ask for. We handled our business tonight. But the job is still an uphill battle, and we understand that.”
