The Dallas Mavericks have survived elimination at home Friday night after blowing out the Celtics 122-84.
Luka Doncic put up 29 points while Kyrie Irving finished with 21 points in the 38-point blowout win.
But it was the Dallas bench that came alive as they combined for 54 points.
Tim Hardaway, who has been a non-factor in the series put up 15 points, Derek Lively finished with 11 points and 12 rebounds and Dante Exum finished with 10 points.
For Boston Jayson Tatum scored 15 points, Jrue Holliday with 10 points, and Jaylen Brown with 10 points.
Kristaps Porzingis, the former Maverick did not play.
“It’s real simple. We don’t have to complicate this. This isn’t surgery,” said Mavericks coach Jason Kidd.
“Our group was ready to go. They were ready to celebrate and we made a stand. We were desperate. We’ve got to continue to keep playing that way. They’re trying to close the door. The hardest thing in this league is to close the door when you have a group that has nothing to lose. Tonight, you saw that.”
The Mavericks still have an uphill battle if they want to accomplish something no NBA team has ever done, coming back from being down 3-0.
Dallas defeated Boston by a 38-point deficit, the third largest ever in an NBA Final game.
The Celtics will have a chance to close out the series at home on Monday night in front of the home crowd.
Travis Tyler