The Boston Celtics are on the verge of taking a commanding 3-0 lead against the Dallas Mavericks in the 2024 NBA Finals. Game 3 of the best-of-seven series is scheduled for Wednesday, June 12th, at the American Airlines Arena in Dallas, with tip-off set for 8:30 p.m. ET.

Boston has displayed their dominance by winning the first two games of the series against the Mavericks, marking the ninth time the Celtics have secured the opening pair of the Finals. In Game 2, the Celtics had five players scoring in double figures, spearheaded by Jrue Holiday's 26 points and Jaylen Brown's 21 points. Despite a challenging shooting night, Jayson Tatum contributed with 18 points, 12 assists, and nine rebounds.

Notably, Luka Doncic showcased his brilliance for the Mavericks, registering his 10th career playoff triple-double in Game 2. Kyrie Irving, however, continued his winless streak against the Celtics, losing 12 consecutive games. Irving managed to score 16 points but struggled to find success against Boston.

Heading into Game 3, the Celtics maintain an undefeated record on the road throughout the postseason. Although Dallas possesses formidable talent like Doncic, their tendency to lose home games in each of their previous three series works in favor of Boston.

The Celtics' strong perimeter defense has limited the effectiveness of the Mavericks' shooters, leading to low shooting percentages from beyond the arc for both teams. However, with Boston's reputation as the league's best shooting team, they are expected to improve their shooting performance in Game 3. Furthermore, the Mavericks have struggled to contain Boston's offensive prowess near the basket, creating opportunities for points.

Considering the current circumstances, it is unsurprising that the Celtics are favored to win Game 3 against the Mavericks, despite being the visiting team. With Kristaps Porzingis' availability still uncertain, the Celtics have a chance to build on their success and potentially secure a commanding 3-0 lead.

Additionally, Derrick Jones Jr. has struggled to find success from the corners, which may limit his ability to make multiple three-pointers in Game 3. Similarly, Kyrie Irving's inability to create space against Boston's guards has resulted in a lack of success from deep, making it unlikely for him to reach 24 points without relying heavily on free throws.

In a surprising twist, Payton Pritchard may provide insurance for the Celtics, especially if Porzingis is unable to play. Pritchard has shown reliability and provided crucial points when needed in previous playoff games. Though his playing time has been limited with Porzingis back, his scoring potential remains significant, and he is a candidate to surpass his over/under line of 4.5 points.

As the NBA Finals continue, the Celtics are hoping to extend their dominance over the Mavericks and solidify their position as favorites to capture the championship title. With Game 3 imminent, basketball fans eagerly await the outcome in what promises to be an intense battle between two talented teams.