In a saga that is likely giving Dallas fans as much anxiety as their annual playoff hopes, the Boston Celtics took a commanding 3-0 lead in the NBA Finals after defeating the Mavericks 106-99 in Game 3. It was a game filled with drama, tenacity, and perhaps a dash of cowboy magic—all in the hopes of avoiding a sweep.

Leading the charge for the Celtics was Jayson Tatum, who racked up 31 points, providing ample evidence that he probably deserves more respect than most people give their morning coffee. Not far behind was Jaylen Brown, who not only added 30 points but also displayed an impressive stat line with eight rebounds and eight assists—because why settle for being good at only one thing?

Meanwhile, the Mavericks were left pondering what could have been, particularly given the absence of Kristaps Porzingis, who was sidelined with a lower leg injury from Game 2. This left Kyrie Irving to carry much of the load, and he didn't disappoint, as he scored a game-high 35 points. However, even Irving's heroics weren't enough to make Boston fans sweat more than they already do in their mid-July heatwaves.

Luka Doncic did his best superhero impersonation too, putting up 27 points along with six rebounds and six assists. But then, just when the Mavs' comeback seemed possible, Doncic fouled out with 4:12 left on the clock. The Mavericks’ challenge to the call failed spectacularly, leading to a collective sigh louder than a Texas tornado.

It wasn't always a close contest, with the Celtics at one point leading 91-70. Yet, just as Mavericks fans were about to turn off their TVs, Dallas went on an impressive 28-9 run to get within two points late in the game. If there's one thing the Mavericks are good at, it's taking their fans on an emotional rollercoaster.

But alas, it was not to be. Derrick White stepped up with a solid 16 points for the Celtics, nailing some key shots that seemed to drain Dallas of its final reserves of cowboy grit.

Now, the Celtics are on the brink of their 18th NBA title, just one win away from adding another shiny trophy to their already overcrowded display case. On the other hand, the Dallas Mavericks might want to consider consulting actual cowboys for advice—perhaps there's something in the cowboy code about handling pressure situations better than they currently do.

In summary, as the Boston Celtics inch ever closer to championship glory, Dallas confronts the harsh reality: the only thing standing between them and an offseason of “what-ifs” is a miracle—or perhaps a star-studded cowboy intervention.

Sources: Reuters, NY Post