Lukas Mavericks Trounce Celtics to Force Game 5

Sure, this was just one win, but the Dallas Mavericks' trouncing of the Boston Celtics has to at least concern the Celtics. Over 48 minutes, the Mavericks delivered one of the most decisive beatdowns in NBA playoff history with a 122-84 win over the Celtics, forcefully pushing the series to Game 5 in Boston on Monday at 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC).

The Dallas Mavericks might be down 3-1, but they made a compelling case not to count them out of the NBA Finals.

Luka Doncic finished the game with 29 points, and Kyrie Irving added 21 points to lead and keep the Mavs season alive.

The game was filled with historic moments, including a 47-point lead in the fourth quarter. The 38-point margin is the third-largest blowout in Finals history.

The Celtics' 35 points at halftime were the fewest they've scored in a half under head coach Joe Mazzulla. Luka Dončić's 25 points at halftime set a new record for the most points ever scored by a Maverick in a Finals half.

The game was so out of control late in the third quarter that the Celtics pulled their starters, followed shortly by the Mavericks, who watched their reserves, including Tim Hardaway Jr., continue the onslaught.