The are one win from capturing the 2024 NBA title -- and they earned it. Boston built its fourth-quarter lead to 21 points before a frantic rally by the turned Wednesday's Game 3 into a roller coaster. However, the Celtics withstood every late charge by the Mavericks, who lost superstar guard in the final minutes after he fouled out on a controversial blocking call, and took a 3-0 lead in the Finals behind .
The Celtics also won despite big man being sidelined with a leg injury. His status remains day-to-day, but reported there is "real doubt" over Porzingis' status moving forward. How did Boston overcome its star's injury and hold off Dallas' late rally? Are these Finals headed for a Celtics sweep? Our NBA Insiders are breaking down the wild finish to Game 3, Doncic's uneven performance and what lies ahead in Friday's Game 4 (8:30 p.
m. ET, ABC). That Boston still hasn't shaken all of its bad habits, but it still has enough talent to close out this series.
The fourth quarter was a highlight reel of Boston's past issues -- poor offensive execution, lapses in concentration and overall head-scratching decision making. But after giving up a 22-2 run that got Dallas back within a point, Boston was able to lock in defensively down the stretch. It was enough to move the Celtics one win away from an 18th NBA championship -- even if it became far more stressful than it should have been.
The Celtics are inevitable. It didn't matter that Porzingis wasn't there, because could hold his ow.
