Luka Doncic explains Mavericks improvement in Game 4 against the Celtics

Luka Doncic was back to his best in Game 4 of the 2024 NBA Finals, which the Dallas Mavericks handsomely won 122-84 against the Boston Celtics to prevent a sweep and take the series to Game 5.

Doncic’s superb first half in Game 4 against the Celtics

The Slovenian superstar bagged 25 points and four assists in the first half alone as the Mavs raced into a 61-35 halftime lead. Although Joe Mazzulla’s team improved somewhat in the third and fourth quarters, they were still comfortably outscored by their opponents, who improved immeasurably from the first three games of the series, which all went Boston’s way.

Speaking after the game, Doncic revealed his belief that both his and the Mavs’ increased tempo and improvement on the defensive end was what had ultimately led to their drastic turnaround in fortune.

What did Doncic say about the Mavs’ performance?

“Just have some trust in my team. We were locked in, I think especially on the defensive end. We played with pace, and it helps them (his teaMMAtes). I’m here to help them, in every way I can. So, we just got to play like that.”

Never one to get too high or too low, the 25-year-old isn’t getting carried away with his team’s new lease of life, although he hopes Friday’s big win can be the start of a momentum swinging in the Mavs’ favour.

“I mean it doesn’t change anything. Like I said at the beginning of the series, it’s first to four and we’re going to believe until the end. So we’ve just go to keep going. I have big belief in this team that we can do it. We’ve just got to keep believing.

The 2024 NBA Finals will continue with Game 5 on Monday 17 June, with the series returning to TD Garden in Boston, where the Celtics will have the chance to secure a record 18th championship in front of their own fans.