The odds remain overwhelmingly stacked against the Mavericks.
But for a few more days, they can still dream of a magical, historic escape.
Lika a prize fighter hanging on, clinging to a puncher’s chance, the Mavericks gathered themselves Friday night in Game 4 of the NBA Finals and will live to fight at least one more time after they stopped Boston 122-84 at American Airlines Center to cut the Celtics’ lead in the series to 3-1.
It was the third-largest margin of victory in NBA Finals history.
Game 5 is Monday in Boston and the Celtics remain one win away from the franchise’s 18th NBA championship.