Irving Breaks Losing Streak
In Game 4, Kyrie Irving continued his offensive resurgence, shooting over 55% and scoring 21 points, along with 6 assists and 4 rebounds. His performance helped the Mavericks build an early lead, ultimately leading to a 38-point victory that avoided a sweep. More importantly, Irving ended his 13-game losing streak against the Celtics.
A Long-Awaited Victory
Including regular season games, the last time Irving’s team beat the Celtics was in Game 5 of the first-round series in 2021 when the Brooklyn Nets’ Big Three eliminated Boston in five games. “We had to play with a sense of desperation, a smart desperation. It wasn’t just about grabbing the ball and going for it but continuously attacking their weaknesses, driving into the paint, and making use of the one-on-one opportunities they gave us,” Irving explained.
Replicating the Game 4 Performance
“It took us until Game 4 to finally play our best basketball. It took a long time to bring everyone together, and we can definitely replicate this performance. We have no choice but to have such expectations, to hope to make history. Everyone was full of energy today, and we need victories like this,” said Irving.
Staying Focused
As someone who once orchestrated a miraculous comeback from a 1-3 deficit, Irving used his experience to urge teammates to stay off social media and enjoy the moment, focusing on the task at hand. “Everyone united to win this game, and that’s what we needed. We know how strong our opponents are, they make the game harder. Now we’re going back to Boston with a chance to extend the season, and that’s what we want to do,” he emphasized.
Fulfilling a Promise
After losing Game 2, Irving had gestured five fingers to Celtics fans, motivating himself to bring the series back to Game 5. Now, he has fulfilled that promise. (55BMW)