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Did you write off the Dallas Mavericks after they fell into an 0-3 NBA Finals hole? Well, we understand. But the Mavs might just be out to prove that the rest is still unwritten…

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Weekend Wrap-Up

Dallas survives behind monster 122-84 Game 4 win

The NBA negativity mill was at an all-time high following Boston’s Game 3 victory over Dallas, with critics crawling out of every corner of the basketball world to hate on the Mavericks’ performance—specifically Luka Doncic. In Game 4, Dallas scored a win for the Enjoyers.

After suffering tight losses in Games 2 and 3, Dallas bounced back on Friday night and stayed alive in the NBA Finals with a monstrous 122-84 Game 4 victory, sending the series back to Boston for Game 5. It was the third-largest margin of victory in the history of the Finals—Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving combined for 50 PTS, Dereck Lively had a double-double and nailed his first career three, and Dallas played with a passion that we haven’t seen from them in the Finals yet.

That coincided with an off-night for Boston, who couldn’t buy a basket and shot 36% from the field. The good news for Boston is that having a 3-0 lead allows them to survive a performance like this. The better news for us is that the Finals lasts at least one game longer, and that Dallas just took the first step toward a potential historic comeback… 👀

Chuck Signing Off

TWO WORDS: CHARLES BARKLEY ON TNT— MUST SEE TV!

To say that Charles Barkley has been a staple of basketball media over the last 20 years is like saying Michael Jordan was important to the Chicago Bulls—it sort of goes without saying. But soon, we’ll be forced to live in a world without the Round Mound of Rebound on the mic.

After Dallas’s Game 4 win, Barkley announced the news that next season will be his last as a TV analyst. It’s been a legendary career for Chuck, who’s given us some of TV’s most iconic moments as a part of TNT’s Inside The NBA. We wish him all the best in retirement! 👏

Making (Near-)History

The Celtics have a commanding series lead in the Finals, and a Dallas comeback would make them the first team in NBA history to overcome a 3-0 playoff series deficit. In fact, only a few teams have ever come back to tie the series after going down 3-0. Let’s meet them: ⬇️

1951 New York Knicks

The ‘51 Knicks rallied back from down 3-0 in the first ever seven-game NBA Finals. New York, led by Harry Gallatin, Dick Maguire, and Nat Clifton (who was the first Black player to appear in an NBA game), held the Rochester Royals to just 78 PPG in Games 4, 5, and 6, but ultimately fell on the road in Game 7.

1994 Denver Nuggets

Before the 90s Jazz played their tune against Michael Jordan and the Bulls in the NBA Finals, they narrowly avoided an unprecedented collapse. After going down 0-3 and coming back to tie the series, the Nuggets started Game 7 hot thanks to future four-time DPOY Dikembe Mutombo and ahead-of-his-time shooter Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf. However, Utah eventually took care of business to the tune of a 91-81 Game 7 win to shut the door on Denver’s comeback.

2004 Portland Trailblazers

Hard-nosed basketball and good ol’ fashioned grit was enough for the “Jailblazers” to erase their 3-0 hole against the Mavericks in the first round of the 2004 playoffs. Rasheed Wallace, Scottie Pippen, and Zach Randolph led a squad known for their toughness, but fell short in Game 7 thanks to 31 PTS from a young Dirk Nowitzki.

2023 Boston Celtics

A Dallas comeback in this year’s Finals would be like giving the C’s a taste of their own medicine. In case you forgot, the Celtics fell down 3-0 against the 8-seeded Miami Heat in the ECF last year, generating a huge amount of momentum heading into Game 7. But in the end, Jimmy Butler and company took care of business and sent Boston on the retooling path that gave them the team we see today.

Three in the Key

Signing Off

And we out! Thanks for spending a portion of your day with us. This week, remember that kindness is the most important thing we can offer in this world. It’s easy to get caught up in the million things there are to do in the day, but don’t forget to go the extra mile to treat your fellow humans with respect. Everything’s easier when we’re good to one another. Talk soon!

-Walker Carnathan