Key Moment That Helps Celtics Take 3-0 Lead in NBA Finals

With Dallas Mounting a Huge Comeback, Luka Doncic's 6th Foul Proves Decisive

The Boston Celtics moved one step closer to their 18th NBA championship on Thursday night, taking a commanding 3-0 lead in the Finals with a 106-99 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. The Celtics were led by a balanced attack, with Jayson Tatum scoring 29 points, Jaylen Brown adding 23, and Marcus Smart contributing 21. Luka Doncic led the Mavericks with 26 points, but he was hampered by foul trouble throughout the game and fouled out with just over three minutes remaining.

5 Takeaways as Celtics Cruise Past Mavericks in Game 3

1. Boston's Depth Proves Too Much for Dallas: The Celtics' bench outscored the Mavericks' bench 31-17, providing a much-needed boost in a game that was close throughout.

2. The Luka-Kyrie Duo Struggles: Doncic and Kyrie Irving combined for just 35 points on 13-of-36 shooting. The Celtics' defense did a good job of limiting their touches and forcing them into tough shots.

3. Porziņģis and the Celtics Wasted No Time Taking Control of Game 1: Kristaps Porziņģis scored 14 points in the first quarter, helping the Celtics build a 10-point lead. The Celtics never looked back from there, leading by as many as 18 points in the second half.

4. The Celtics' Defense Holds Strong: The Celtics held the Mavericks to just 38% shooting from the field and forced 15 turnovers. The Celtics also blocked seven shots, making it difficult for the Mavericks to get easy looks at the basket.

5. The Celtics Are Now One Win Away from the NBA Championship: The Celtics can clinch their 18th NBA championship with a win in Game 4 on Friday night. The Mavericks will need to win the next two games in Dallas to force a Game 7.