Are we looking at the 2014 Kings, 2010 Flyers, 2004 Red Sox, 1975 Islanders, or 1942 Maple Leafs reincarnated as the 2024 Mavericks? It seems like we always wonder about this whenever a team stays alive and wins a Game 4 when trailing a series 3-0. it is not that uncommon for a team to avoid elimination in a Game 4, but it gets tougher to stay alive thereafter. And, of course, no NBA team ahs ever rallied to win from 0-3. But we did see the Celtics force a Game 7 last year vs. the Heat in the East Finals after falling behind 3-0, and there has been a no-so-subtle shift to the Mavericks in the last five quarters of this series in what Dallas has outscored Boston by 52 (!) points. The Celtics admittedly waved the white flag early on Friday, but their offense has not been as sharp in the Finals as previously this postseason, barely scoring at 100 ppg, and top scorer Jayson Tatum held to 18 points or fewer in three of the four games. Boston will want to throw away what happened in Game 4, but if Kristpas Porzingis can't go again, the Celtics use a legit rim protector for 20 or so minutes, one that could have come in handy on Friday when Luka Doncic and the Mavs attacked the paint with impunity. A key for the Mavs in Game 4 was the bench finally contributing, with Dereck Lively II and Maxi Kleber big on the + side of +/- after opposite results early in the series, and Tim Hardaway Jr canning five triples off the bench. Kyrie Irving also scored 28 ppg the past two after his muted effort at TD Garden. In truth, only Game 1 was an easy walk for the Celtics, and the Mavs continue to suggest they won't go out easily. Play Mavs