Game 4 saw the Mavericks defeat the Celtics by the third-largest margin in NBA Finals history.

In an NBA Finals game, only the Chicago Bulls of 1998 and the Boston Celtics of 2008 have triumphed by a greater margin of points.

Before completing the 122-84 victory in Game 4, the Mavericks dominated the first forty-eight minutes of play and led by as much as forty points. The third-largest winning margin in NBA Finals history is 38 points.

The only teams to defeat a club by more points in a Finals game are the Boston Celtics (2008) against the Lakers and the Chicago Bulls (headed by Michael Jordan) against Utah (1998).

greatest winning margins in the history of the NBA Finals

victory marginwinning grouplosing groupDate: 42The Chicago BullsUtah JazzJune 7, 1998, 39-96-54Celtics of BostonLos Angeles Lakers17 June 2008 131-92 38Mavericks of DallasCeltics of Boston122–84, June 14, 2024, 36Spurs of San AntonioMiami Heat11 June 2013 113-77 35The Washington BulletsSuperSonics in Seattle117-82-34, June 4, 1978Celtics of BostonThe Hawks of St. Louis2. April, 1961, 129–95 34Celtics of BostonLos Angeles Lakers27 May 1985, 148–114
The Mavericks’ onslaught was spearheaded by Luka Doncic, who set a franchise record with 25 points in the first half.

It’s quite easy. Let’s not make things any more complicated. Coach Jason Kidd of the Mavericks stated, “This isn’t surgery.” “We were all set to leave. They were prepared to rejoice, and we took a position. We had run out of time. That’s the way we have to play going forward. Their goal is to shut the door. Closing the door on a bunch that has nothing to lose is the hardest thing in our league. You witnessed that tonight.

Boston, on the other hand, suffered the greatest defeat in their own glorious Finals history. The 17-time champion Celtics’ worst championship round loss prior to Friday was 137-104 against the Lakers in 1984. It was worse than this. Much worse, on occasion. The largest advantage for Dallas in the fourth quarter was 48.

“Being prepared does not ensure a surefire victory,” Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla stated. “I felt that our procedure was excellent. We had a wonderful shootaround, I thought. I thought yesterday’s filming was fantastic. The guys seemed to have the best of intentions when they spoke. I simply felt Dallas outplayed us and that it didn’t go our way. They simply exerted more effort in their games.

To continue creating history, Dallas will need to win more games, especially if they are to pull off the unprecedented feat of overcoming a 3-0 hole in an NBA playoff series. Despite losing 3-0, four teams have forced a Game 7; however, none of them have won the series.