Thanks to a “life-saving” gala: Ahead of game five in the NBA Finals, the Dallas Mavericks should be hoping for a historic turnaround and a second NBA title
The worst-case scenario has been averted: Thanks to a clear 122:84 victory, the Dallas Mavericks prevented a sweep of the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals and fended off the Celtics’ first match point. Dirk Nowitzki was also able to lean back in the American Airlines Center in the face of a 48-point lead in the final quarter and enjoy a “life-sustaining” gala by his former team in the fourth Finals game.
“What you never and under no circumstances want is an opponent celebrating the championship on your floor,” said the German basketball icon on the ESPN microphone, expressing his delight: “The guys showed pride and heart today.” And in doing so, raised initial hopes of a historic turnaround: Never before has a team been able to turn around a 3-0 deficit in the play-offs – but the third-highest finals win in NBA history was at least a sign of life. Only the Chicago Bulls in their last title with Michael Jordan against the Utah Jazz (96:54) and the Boston Celtics in their last title win in 2008 against the Los Angeles Lakers (131:92) won higher
Optimism for the Mavs
However, the final best-of-seven series could be over as early as Tuesday night (2.30 a.m. CEST). The Celtics, who still have a commanding 3:1 lead, can clinch their 18th title on home soil. Nowitzki’s motto is the same: “We just look from game to game.”
“We want to carry the momentum, win the next game in Boston and extend the series,” announced the now 45-year-old after the Mavs’ first victory in an NBA final since June 12, 2011. Back then, the Würzburg native had led Dallas to the first NBA title in franchise history against the Miami Heat led by LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh.
However, in order for hopes of title number two to continue to grow, they now have to go one better in game five. “We believe in it to the end. We can do it,” said Mavs top star Luka Doncic confidently and his coach Jason Kidd – also champion with the Mavs as a player in 2011 – is also convinced: “The Celtics just have to close the bag. But that’s a very difficult thing to do when your opponent has nothing left to lose.”
The Mavericks also want to make it very difficult for the Celtics to become the sole NBA record champions on Tuesday night – Boston currently shares the record with the LA Lakers thanks to 17 titles each.