Kendrick Perkins lauds Jaylen Brown's game-winning performance in the second half of Game 3: "MF DAWG"
The Boston Celtics' supporting cast has been in fine form throughout the 2024 NBA Finals, with Kristaps Porzingis out due to a leg injury in Game 3. So with him out, Jaylen Brown needed to step up if the C's were to extend their winning streak to seven in road games during these playoffs and take a commanding 3-0 lead in the championship round.
The three-time All-Star struggled in the first half, scoring merely 6 points on 2-of-6 shooting from the field and missing all of his 3-point attempts. However, as the Celtics came out blazing in the third quarter, outscoring the home team 35-19, JB picked up his form and eventually dropped 24 points in the second half, a game-winning impact that was recognized and appreciated by Kendrick Perkins.
Brown steered the Celtics to take a 3-0 lead
It wasn't just about Jaylen's heroics in the second half; Jayson Tatum, who averaged 17 points on 12-of-38 shooting from the field in the first two games combined, redeemed himself with a team-high 31 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists performance.
Joe Mazzulla's team overcame a 13-point first-quarter deficit into a commanding 21-point lead in the fourth quarter. Still, the Dallas Mavericks cut short the deficit to just 1 point with just over 3:30 remaining on the clock. Even with Tatum finding his rhythm, he struggled from long range, shooting 4-of-13 from the 3-point line. This was when Brown's buckets in clutch time proved to be the difference maker, giving Boston the required breathing space.
Perkins sounds off Doncic's performance in Game 3
While Big Perk appreciated Brown, Luka Doncic was on the receiving end of his criticism. The Slovenian scored 27 points but shot 11-of-27 from the field, including 1-of-7 from deep. More importantly, for the first time in his playoff career, the 5-time All-Star was fouled out. Unfortunately for the Mavs, more than 4:30 remained on the clock.
Furthermore, throughout the game, Doncic seemed more concerned with voicing his discontent with the referees for not getting foul calls his way, perhaps showing his frustration for everyone to see.
That being said, with no team having ever overcome a 3-0 hole, it seems only a matter of time before the Celtics etch their names in history by securing their much-desired 18th Larry O'Brien trophy.
