The Boston Celtics were not messing around on Thursday night. They are the proverbial favorites in the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, and they made sure to live up to all the hype by completely destroying Luka Doncic and Co. in Game 1 via an eye-opening 107-89 blowout.
The victory, however, did not come without a proper scare from the Mavs.
Boston Celtics News: Joe Mazzulla Reacts to Mavs’ Wild 3rd Quarter Run
![Boston Celtics Coach Reveals How He Rallied Troops Amid Dallas Mavericks' Blistering Comeback Attempt in Game 1 1 USATSI 20537130 168400517 lowres](https://www.hardwoodheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/USATSI_20537130_168400517_lowres.jpg)
By halftime, Boston had already amassed a 63-42 lead. The Mavs would not go down without a fight, though, and they came out on fire in the third quarter. At one point, Dallas had cut the lead to single digits, which resulted in some major concern for the Celtics.
Boston, however, just took the blow on the chin. They never panicked and they quickly turned the tide to close out the third quarter. The game was virtually over as the Celtics entered the final frame with a 21-point lead against a dejected Dallas side.
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After the game, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla was asked about the crucial conversation he had with his team amid the Mavs’ blistering third-quarter run. According to the NBA Finals first-timer, he just had to make sure that his players kept their composure:
“It’s the NBA Finals, you’re playing against a great team, they’re gonna make runs,” he said.
"It's the NBA Finals, you're playing against a great team, they're gonna make runs."
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla reveals what he told his team when the Mavericks cut down their lead to 8 points in the 3rd quarter 🗣
(via @danield1214) pic.twitter.com/SJqqIXHPj9
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 7, 2024
Clearly, all the pressure is not getting to Mazzulla, and it has translated to his team’s ability to bounce back from adversity.
![Boston Celtics Coach Reveals How He Rallied Troops Amid Dallas Mavericks' Blistering Comeback Attempt in Game 1 3 USATSI 23011001 168400517 lowres](https://www.hardwoodheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/USATSI_23011001_168400517_lowres.jpg)
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