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News, Blog and GuidesThe Boston Celtics went into Dallas and took a 3-0 lead over the Dallas Mavericks, and they are just one win away from their 18th NBA Finals trophy.
Dane ArlauckasdfinesttweetsUpdate: Jun 13th, 2024 17:30 EDT0
Kevin JairajUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
The Boston Celtics are a game away from sweeping through the NBA Finals after their win over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night. While the series might be looking all but over, there is still one question lurking heading into the fourth and potentially final game of the season: Who is the MVP of the Finals?
Brown pulls ahead in Dallas
Jayson Tatum went into Wednesday’s Game 3 as the favorite to win the award despite not having shot the well in the opening two games. Tatum was doing everything else for his team, and in Game 2 he was a rebound away from a triple double on a night that he went 6/22 from the field. It appears all Tatum needed was to get out of Boston. In Dallas he dropped 31 points on 11/26 field goals, and got the Celtics started off with 13 points in the first quarter.
Jaylen Brown has been the most integrated player in every game of this series. His defense has been rock solid, keeping Luka Doncic frustrated on one end of the court and setting the tone on the offensive end. He pushes the pace, injects energy with his his hustle plays and has a flair for the theatric when he gets an open lane to the rim. He was the Eastern Conference Finals MVP, and the $300 million dollar man has been the most consistent player for the Celtics in the playoffs and in this series. He went into Game 3 +160 to win the MVP, and after putting up just 6 first half points in Dallas he had 15 in the third quarter and ended the night with 30, 8 and 8 assists, and has now jumped Tatum as the favorite to win the Bill Russell Award.
Finals greatness from 🔥 + 🧊 pic.twitter.com/D8DNhUF7EF
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) June 13, 2024
Luka Doncic was third on the list after the two games in Dallas at but getting swept in the NBA Finals isn’t going to do him any favors. He fouled out of Game 3, and defensively was a hindrance for his team. If he had any chance of winning the MVP before Game 3, those are looking long gone now. If, that this is a huge, hypothetical, delusional if, the Mavs come back and win the next four games, then obviously Luka would be right back in consideration but considering it’s never happened in the history of the NBA you wouldn’t want to put money on it.
