No NBA team has recovered from a 3-0 deficit in the playoffs. They are 0-156. Thirteen of the 287 teams (4.5%) that trailed 3–1 went on to win the series. And 57 of the 350 teams (16.3%) that trailed 3-2 won.
This is the ever-widening window of opportunity the Boston Celtics are trying to avoid in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. With Monday night’s victory, the Dallas Mavericks should feel four times more confident in their title shot as they will no longer have to think like the only team trying to come back from a 3-0 deficit. They will just need to become the 58th team to win back-to-back playoff games.
“They’re a desperate team and they’re probably playing a little bit looser,” said Al Horford, whose Celtics lost 3-0 in the 2023 Eastern Conference final to force Game 7. “We know what that mentality is like.”
There It is a freedom in knowing that there is no room for mistakes. The Mavericks have no choice but to give their all on every possession, because one mistake could mean the end of all their championship hopes.
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