The final score of Game 4 was 122-84, but really, the game ended with a shade under three minutes left in the third quarter. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla saw the scoreboard reading 88-52 and pulled his starters for the rest of the game.
It was an absolutely dominant performance for the Mavericks, who led by as many as 48 points in the fourth quarter.
Here is what flipped in Game 4 to give the Mavs their first win of the Finals.
MORE: Key stats and highlights from Mavericks' Game 4 win in NBA Finals
Six biggest takeaways from Game 4 of 2024 NBA Finals
Luka Doncic's defense was superb
The Celtics have been attacking Doncic at every chance that they can possibly get. Doncic had given up the most amount of blow-bys in the playoffs over the past 10 years, per Second Spectrum. He was far more solid in Game 4, staying in front of his man whenever the Celtics attacked him.
If we're going to tear Luka down for his defense, then we better also highlight what he did in Game 4.
— Steph Noh (@StephNoh) June 15, 2024
1:33 of him stopping the Celtics. pic.twitter.com/dDRKdeTRu2
The Celtics simply could not create advantages to the same level that they did in previous games without those unimpeded drives to the basket. Doncic had three steals, but his defense was way more impactful than ripping the ball away from players. He caused the Celtics to waste time attacking him, then pass the ball out with a short shot clock to go somewhere else.
That resulted in a paltry 35 points for the Celtics at halftime, and 60 points through three quarters (the fourth quarter was pure garbage time).
Jayson Tatum flips roles with Luka Doncic
For all of the criticism that Doncic got after complaining to the referees in Game 3, it was Tatum who was visibly frustrated in Game 4. The game had to be momentarily paused at the end of the first quarter when Tatum angrily slapped Derrick Jones Jr.'s hand off his chest. He was arguing with officials constantly, waving his hands in disgust at them.
Tatum was aggressive in trying to get to the rim, but he had a quiet night. He scored just 15 points on 4-of-10 shooting. He also had issues guarding the bigger Daniel Gafford in the post. Give credit to him for fighting in that matchup, but the size mismatch is looking like it may be too much for him to overcome.
MORE: Where Mavs' Game 4 rout ranks among biggest blowouts in NBA Finals history
The Mavericks killed the Celtics in the hustle stats
It's cliche to say that one team played harder, but the Mavs did look more active.
Dallas had a huge edge in getting offensive rebounds. The Celtics missed box outs and were outscored in second-chance points by a 16-2 margin. Dallas also beat Boston down the floor, earning an 11-6 edge in fast break points.
Welcome to the series, Dereck Lively II
Lively was all over the offensive glass, securing a game-high seven offensive rebounds to go along with his 11 points. The Mavericks finally got their lob game going with Lively and Gafford, attacking in transition and getting some easy looks.
Lively also made his first NBA 3-pointer, punishing the Celtics for helping off the strong side corner. That energized him, leading to a great contest on the other end of the floor and a dunk.
That's our R💥💥K pic.twitter.com/wqlmafJcXH
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) June 15, 2024
Dallas' role players stepped up
Doncic and Kyrie Irving finally got some help from their supporting cast. All of them did something in their time on the floor.
Dante Exum gave the team a huge jolt of energy by hitting 3s and creating a layup out of thin air on a possession going nowhere. Josh Green played great defense and flew in for a dunk on an offensive rebound. And Derrick Jones Jr. showed incredible craft on a coast-to-coast layup.
Dallas mashed at the rim again
The loss of Kristaps Porzingis in Games 3 and 4 has been huge. For the second straight game, the Mavericks destroyed the Celtics in the paint, earning a 60-26 advantage. Doncic and Irving scored all of the Mavs' first 10 points, with all of their baskets coming in the paint.
Dallas has needed Doncic and Irving to be able to score one-on-one. Without the big man back there, both players have been much more effective. Doncic and Irving couldn't hit a 3 to save their lives, but they went a combined 21-of-30 on shots inside the arc.
Porzingis was technically available for Game 4 but didn't enter the game. The Celtics may need him in Game 5.
