Sports

The Mavs stave off elimination, but for how long?

By VINCENT DAVIS

Special to the AmNews

The Golden State Warriors left their broom at the team hotel on Tuesday night because there was no sweeping the Dallas Mavericks.

Down 3-0 and facing elimination in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, the Mavericks held off the Warriors at home 119-109 to stay alive and extend the best-ofseven series to Game 5 tonight in San Francisco.

Dallas took an early lead and were up 28-24 at the end of the first quarter. They stretched it out to 62-47 at the half. Led by Luka Doncic, who it was announced this week was selected All-NBA First Team, Dallas dominated the third quarter and were up to start the fourth. The Warriors made a furious run and cut their deficit to only eight points, 110-102 with 3:23 remaining on a three-pointer by Warriors rookie Jonathan Kuminga, but the Mavericks kept enough separation to avoid getting swept.

“It was almost like an ego win,” said the Warriors’ Stephen Curry, who scored a team-high 20 points. “You come out and really have nothing to lose. So that confidence started early, and we really didn’t do nothing to slow it down.”

Doncic didn’t shoot well, only going 38% overall and just 27% on threes (3-11), but still posted a triple double with 30 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists. Mavericks forward Dorian FinneySmith added 23 and former Knick guard Reggie Bullock contributed 18, making 6-13 three-pointers.

“Everybody in that locker room felt like we had more basketball to play,” said Finney-Smith. “We just wanted to get the win.”

Before the game, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, whose father was assassinated in Lebanon in 1984 while serving as the president of American University in Beirut, gave an emotional plea for lawmakers to pass stricter gun laws after a school shooting on Tuesday left 19 students and two teachers dead at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic scored 30 points, had 14 rebounds and nine assists to lead his team to a 119-109 win over the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night (Bill Moore Photo)

The Heat and Celtics engage in a battle of attrition in the East Finals

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor

The Eastern Conference Finals has those who long for the days of physical, 1980s no-layups-allowed NBA basketball in a state of euphoria. The Miami Heat and Boston Celtics are engaged in a best-of-seven tug of war that has come down to a survival of the fittest contest. They played Game 5 last night in Miami tied at 2-2. No team has been able to establish a clear advantage although the eye-test reveals the Celtics have a clear margin in collective talent, notably offensively.

The Heat was committed to playing more intensely and urgently in Game 3 in Boston after getting blown out at home 127-102 last Thursday in Game 2. The result was a 109-103 road win.

“In the previous game, as everybody noticed, they beat us like we stole something,” said Heat center Bam Adebayo following a 31-point, 10-rebound effort in Game 3.

“That should wake everybody up. Getting beat at home like that, that says it all.”

The Heat’s cogency didn’t carry over to Game 4. The Celtics opened a 26-4 lead in the first quarter and won going away 102-82. Adebayo epitomized the Heat’s offensive inconsistency, attempting just five shots and scoring an inconsequential nine points in the loss.

“Just got to muster that same energy when we came off a win as well as a loss,” maintained the Celtics’ firstyear head coach Ime Udoka.

“This is a three-game series now. Can’t always just flip the mindset when we come off a loss and get a little desperate.”

Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, who scored a quiet 10 points shooting 3-14 in Game 3, imposed his will in Game 4, dropping 31 on a highly efficient 8-16 from the field and 14-16 from the foul line.

Arguably the most substantial factor that will decide the series outcome is injuries to both teams. Celtics center Al Horford missed Game 1—a Heat victory—in the NBA’s COVID health and safety protocols.

Guard Marcus Smart missed Game 1 (foot) and Game 4 (ankle). And center Robert Williams III was sidelined for Game 4 with left knee soreness.

For the Heat, guard Tyler Herro didn’t suit up for Game 4 due to a groin injury. Forward Jimmy Butler was out for the entire second half of Game 3 with right knee swelling while guard Kyle Lowry has been slowed by a strained left hamstring and didn’t play in Games 1 and 2.

Additionally, guard P.J. Tucker has been bothered by left knee irritation and guard Max Strus is fending off a hamstring strain.

“It’s a part of playoffs. You learn to adapt,” said Adebayo after Game 4. “Guys being out

You’ve just got to find a way to win.”

Game 6 will be in Boston on Friday and Game 7 Sunday night in Miami if necessary.