The Boston Celtics were without Kristaps Porziņģis on Wednesday night, on the road in Dallas. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown weren't shook.
The duo combined for 61 points, leading the Celtics to a 106-99 win over the Dallas Mavericks in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, leaving Boston just one win away from its first championship since the 2007-08 season.
NBA @NBAJAYLEN BROWN. MONSTER SLAM.<br><br>He finished the 3Q with 15 PTS!<br><br>Celtics looking to go up 3-0 headed to the 4th on ABC 👀 <a href="">
ESPN @espnJayson Tatum is up to 25 points in Game 3 🔥 <a href="">#NBAFinals</a> <a href="">
NBA @NBADerrick White with the REJECTION.<br>Jayson Tatum with the HAMMER.<a href="">#NBAFinals</a> presented by <a href="">@YouTubeTV</a><br>🏆 Game 3 on ABC 🏆 <a href="">
It looked as though the Celtics were going to cruise to a third straight victory in the series, as they held a 21-point lead early in the fourth quarter. Dallas surged back, however, though their comeback attempt was partially stymied by Luka Dončić (27 points, six rebounds, six assists) fouling out with a little over four minutes remaining.
It was also stymied by Tatum (31 points, six boards, five assists) and Brown (30 points, eight rebounds, eight assists), as the star duo wouldn't let Boston completely blow its big lead. That had fans and pundits on social media singing their praises:
Chris Vernon @ChrisVernonShowJaylen Brown was special. What a fighter.
Kendrick Perkins @KendrickPerkinsJaylen Brown was has been a MF DAWG in the Second Half. Luka has been cost his team in EVERY way.
Marcus Thompson II @ThompsonScribeThink this game secured FMVP for Jaylen Brown ... at least makes him the clear frontrunner
Jeff Goodman @GoodmanHoopsJaylen Brown doesn't even resemble the player he was a year ago in the postseason. <br><br>Give him credit. Heard the skeptics, got paid, worked in the offseason and has become a much more well-rounded player.
John Fanta @John_FantaJaylen. Brown. <br><br>Cold blooded.
Anchorage Man @SethPartnowHow big is Jaylen Brown's lead for FMVP? If this ends Friday would it be possible for someone to catch him in one game or does the series have go longer?
Shea Serrano @SheaSerranoneed jason kidd to double down and yell something like "the celtics are just a different team without their best player kristaps" within earshot of jayson tatum during a timeout
Shane Young @YoungNBAIt's almost like Jayson Tatum is supremely great at basketball
The duo also spoiled a big night for Kyrie Irving, who finished with 35 points.
The Boston pair each picked a half, with Tatum dominating in the opening two quarters (20 points) and Brown operating as the closer (24 second-half points). Brown was also incredibly efficient, finishing 12-of-22 from the field, though he was just 2-of-9 from three.
It feels as though Brown is heading toward an NBA Finals MVP after winning the award in the Eastern Conference Finals. Certainly, it's hard to imagine the Mavericks becoming the first team in NBA history to overcome a 3-0 series deficit.
Michael Pina @MichaelVPinaIt's June 12th. <br><br>The Celtics haven't lost a game since May 9th.
Anything can happen. But if the Celtics can beat Dallas on the road, without Porziņģis, it feels pretty unlikely that they'll lose four times in a row. Banner No. 18 appears headed to Boston.
