It’s been a tough return to the NBA Finals for the Dallas Mavericks. While they overpowered many of the opponents they faced in the postseason, the Boston Celtics easily demolished whatever game plan they had against their star players.
Game 3 was especially tough for Mavs fans to watch as they witnessed their star player collapse. Luka Doncic was sent to the showers early after fouling out of the game with more than four minutes left. His defensive performance has been so abysmal that fans openly questioned whether the Slovenian superstar was even trying.

Fortunately, not everything is doom and gloom with the Mavs. Dereck Lively II has been a delightful surprise for the Mavs, with the rookie already establishing himself as a key piece to the Mavericks’ superb postseason run.
His performance in Game 3 has been so phenomenal that he put himself in history books for one particular stat.
Dereck Lively becomes the youngest player to grab 10 rebounds in a postseason game while the Dallas Mavericks lose Game 3

The young guard from Duke proved to be an indispensable asset for Jason Kidd’s Mavericks as they tried to wrestle the third game of the series from the C’s.
Lively, who was 20 years and 121 days old in Game 3, finished the game with 11 points, 13 rebounds, one assist, and two steals in 30 minutes of action.
According to ClutchPoints’ Nick Meyer, Lively has become the youngest player to grab 10 rebounds in Finals history. While the numbers are impressive, his efforts eventually meant nothing as the Mavs now find themselves in a 0-3 ditch that seems impossible to get out of.
Lively will be a key player in the Mavericks’ future

The Mavericks’ locker room is scrambling to get their stuff together and make for an improbable Game 7 push. If we look at how the past three games have gone, it’s easy to say that the Celtics might celebrate their 18th championship at the American Airlines Center.
If there are any positives the Mavs can take from this series, it’s that they have one heck of a rookie in Lively. The young guard will become a reliable piece for the Mavs’s push for a second NBA championship, be it in this Finals or the future.
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