Full coverage: Boston waves white flag as Dallas Mavericks win Game 4 blowout

The Dallas Mavericks need to make NBA history to bring home another title.

On Friday night, the Mavs took care of the first step in dominant fashion, defeating the Boston Celtics, 122-84, to claim their first victory of the NBA Finals, and extend the series to Monday night back in Boston.

Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving led the way, combining for 50 points, as Dallas put Game 4 in a chokehold by the third quarter.

Follow along below with our writers, columnists and photographers on the scene at AAC:

Game stories

— ‘It was this or go on vacation’: Mavericks, Luka Doncic put Celtics’ champagne on ice

— Mavericks won’t go quietly in NBA Finals as blowout keeps door vs. Boston cracked open

— Dirk Nowitzki, Sergio Ramos among celebs at Mavs-Celtics Game 4

— Photos: Dallas Mavericks rout Boston Celtics in NBA Finals Game 4 at AAC

— Five thoughts: Mavericks spoil Celtics’ party with massive Game 4 rout in Dallas

— Celtics put in historically bad performance in Game 4 NBA Finals loss to Mavericks

Game photos

Photos: Dallas Mavericks rout Boston Celtics in NBA Finals Game 4 at AAC

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Game updates

Box score | Play-by-play

Fourth quarter (Dallas 122, Boston 84): As reserve players took the floor for the final 12 minutes, the AAC crowd got a show from Tim Hardaway Jr. The struggling scorer hit a trio of three-pointers in the span of just over a minute, adding some extra excitement to a game that was seemingly already out of reach.

The first TV timeout came with 8:01 on the clock, and the Mavs leading, 106-67.

Dallas continued to make it rain from deep after the break (two more threes from THJ, plus another from Jaden Hardy). AJ Lawson also became the 12th different Maverick to score in the game.

Dallas led, 119-77, with 2:54 to go after a timeout.

When the clock finally hit triple-zero, Dallas claimed Game 4 by a score of 122-84. Game 5 will be Monday night in Boston.

Third quarter (Dallas 92, Boston 60): Daniel Gafford scored the first six points of the third quarter for Dallas, including a huge dunk on a lob from Luka Doncic. He also blocked a Jayson Tatum three-point attempt to reignite the crowd after halftime.

The Mavericks opened the period on a 14-7 run into the first TV timeout with 8:38 remaining and a 75-42 lead.

The dominance continued as a pair of monster Dereck Lively II dunks pushed the lead to 88-52 with 3:18 remaining. Add his 11 points to his 12 rebounds, and Lively has recorded his second NBA Finals double-double in as many games.

The reserves entered for Boston following the timeout. Dallas ended the frame leading 92-60.

Second quarter (Dallas 61, Boston 35): Dante Exum scored off the bench for Dallas’ first bucket of the second quarter, then drained a corner three to extend the Dallas lead to 39-21, forcing a Boston timeout 93 seconds into the period. However, during the timeout it was determined Exum stepped out of bounds, negating the basket.

Another mini-run from Dallas pushed the lead to 20 points for the first time. Doncic scored his 17th and 18th point on a turnaround jumper straight away from the basket, and forced another Boston timeout with 6:35 to go.

Dallas pushed the lead to 50-25 before a Sam Hauser three-ball stopped an 11-0 run.

Like the first quarter, the Mavericks maintained pressure throughout the period, heading to the break with a 61-35 lead.

The Dallas defense held Boston to a 29.7% shooting percentage in the first 24 minutes. Doncic leads all scorers with 25 points (plus 4 assists and 3 rebounds), while the Mavericks dominated the glass (outrebounding Boston, 29-13) and points in the paint (34-12).

First quarter (Dallas 34, Boston 21): The crowd at AAC was packed in and ready for the 7:30 p.m. tip.

Dallas and Boston traded buckets for the first five minutes of the game, with the Mavericks holding a 10-9 lead at the first TV timeout with 6:44 to play. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving scored the first 10 points for Dallas.

Out of the timeout, Dereck Lively II made a pair of highlight plays hitting a corner three, then following with an alley-oop from Irving on the next possession.

Dallas extended the lead to 21-14 before a Boston timeout at the 4:11 mark.

The Mavericks kept the pressure on for the rest of the period, with contributions from multiple players. Dallas ended the first quarter leading, 34-21.

Doncic leads all scorers with 13 points. Jayson Tatum scored 11 points for the Celtics.

Pregame updates

- Jason Kidd set out to defend his top player ahead of Game 4 of the NBA Finals. Ahead of a win-or-go-home matchup with the Celtics as the Mavericks face elimination, the Dallas head coach spoke against the criticism Luka Doncic has experienced during the series. Read more here.

- Early Thursday ahead of Game 4, Mavericks team governor Patrick Dumont, CEO Cynt Marshall and general manager Nico Harrison sat down Friday afternoon with small groups of reporters for a “state of the franchise” of sorts. Read more here.

- Not that Luka Doncic needed any more pressure on his shoulders, but Robert Golob, the Slovenian prime minister, will be in attendance for Game 4 in Dallas. Read more here.

- Still looking for NBA Finals tickets? Today might be your lucky day as prices have dropped dramatically from Game 3. Read more here.

Pregame reading

— Kyrie Irving has been in a finals hole before. His advice for Luka Doncic, Mavericks?

— Luka Doncic admits he let Mavericks down in Game 3: ‘It wasn’t the smartest thing’

— Knicks’ Jalen Brunson calls criticism of Luka Doncic unfair: ‘They want you to be perfect’

— Tim Hardaway Jr., Daniel Gafford say if Mavs play ‘desperate,’ they can make history

— Mavericks unveil renovated East Dallas Boys & Girls Club as part of NBA Finals project

— ‘I just want a little crumb’: Mavs Finals run draws army of merch-selling street vendors

Find more Mavericks coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.