The Dallas Mavericks were facing elimination in a crucial Game 4 against Golden State, but with their backs against the wall, Dallas executed their game plan to avoid being swept and get their first win of the Western Conference Finals.
After finding themselves in a 3-0 hole, Coach Jason Kidd continued to preach to his team to believe and to be resilient and they responded by playing smothering defense, along with attacking the basket to create open looks from three, which allowed for them to control the game and secure a 119-109 victory at American Airlines Center.
Despite Dallas’ role players having a tough shooting performance in Game 3, Luka Doncic continued to trust his teammates to find their rhythm. Doncic was an assist shy of a triple double, ending the night with 30 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists. Reggie Bullock and Dorian Finney-Smith also responded with efficient shooting. DFS scored 23 points and Bullock knocked down six three-pointers to tally up 18 points.
“I thought the guys came out no different than Game 3 and Game 2 in the sense of executing and playing at a high level,” Coach Kidd said. “Making shots was something that we’ve done in those games and then defensively being able to rebound the ball. To have 30 assists that means we’re making shots, but again being able to score. They’re going to play zone for the majority of the game, so that’s going to present a problem for them in the sense of giving up threes and we were able to capitalize on that tonight.”
The Mavs and Warriors exchanged baskets for most of the first quarter. Jalen Brunson put the ball on the paint and embraced contact to convert a three-point play. Golden State responded with a mini 6-0 run, which was halted when Brunson snapped a quick pass to Finney-Smith, who knocked down a corner three to tie it up at 6.
Neither team could separate themselves, approaching the five minute mark Maxi Kleber drained a 25-foot three-pointer and it was 16 all. After Doncic converted a three-point play, Jonathan Kuminga went to the free throw line and hit 3-of-4 free throws to keep things tied. In the final minutes Bullock received two great passes from Doncic and Spencer Dinwiddie and knocked down two three-pointers. The Mavs hit seven three-pointers and closed out the first on a 9-5 run, to put them up four 28-24.
Golden State began the second on a mini 6-1 run to recapture the lead. With Luka on the bench, Dinwiddie stepped up by facilitating the offense. He found Davis Bertans for a three-pointer, then the next possession found DFS for a quick two. Dallas continued to use ball movement to grow their lead, Bertans found Bullock for another three and then Dinwiddie found Bertans for a dunk. The 10-0 run gave the Mavs an eight point lead, 39-31.
The Mavs forced four turnovers and never allowed the Warriors to find their rhythm. Offensively Dallas kept answering baskets and were able to shoot 8-of-10 from the charity stripe. Doncic and Brunson each had 13 points in the first half, while Bullock and DFS combined for 20 points. Dallas had everyone contributing which allowed for them to enter halftime with a 15 point lead, 62-47.
After a rain delay caused an extended halftime, the Mavs finally returned to the court and continued to make it rain. Brunson got the scoring going with a quick two. After a Klay Thompson three, Finney-Smith hit a three in back to back possessions. The 10-3 run was capped off with a Doncic hitting the spin cycle on Thompson to finish at the rim, 72-50.
Dallas continued to pour it on Golden State and approaching the three minute mark Dinwiddie hit a stepback three-pointer. Maxi Kleber gathered a rebound and pushed the ball ahead to Dinwiddie who knocked down another three. This sparked a run to close the third quarter, following a Curry three, Kleber hit a quick and then DFS closed another 10-3 run with a driving layup. The Mavs shot an efficient 8-of-13 from beyond the arc which allowed them to outscore the Warriors 37-23 in the third frame. The Mavs entered the final frame with a comfortable lead, 99-70.
There was no quit in the Warriors. Despite entering the final frame down 29 they slowly chopped their deficit to make things interesting. Golden State started the quarter on a 15-2 while their starters were on the bench. With under five minutes to play the Warriors went on another run to pull within single digits. Moses Moody hit a three-pointer and after a Doncic basket, Moody answered with another three. Seconds later Kuminga scored five straight points, 110-102.
Coach Kidd called a timeout and regrouped his team. Following the timeout the Mavs offense was ready to close out the game. After a Doncic dunk, he found Bullock for a three-pointer. Wiggins answered with a three of his own, but Doncic found Finney-Smith for a layup. DFS layup was the dagger with under 90 seconds to play the Mavs iced the game at the free throw line. The Mavs had a great team performance in which they shot an efficient 20-of-43 from three, which allowed them to secure a 119-109.
The win keeps Dallas alive and now the series is 3-1. Coach Kidd discussed how his team has not stopped believing and will need to take the approach of one game at a time.
“We believe that it’s just one game at a time,” Coach Kidd said. “We did our part tonight, we found a way to win. The next part is to find a way to win on the road and again we can’t get ahead of ourselves it’s still 3-1 and we know going into Golden State, it’s a tough place to win, but we’ve won there before and we just have to continue to take care of the ball and make shots.”