The YouTube TV-presented NBA Finals lacked drama until tension, which threatened to upset the series, suddenly burst into the arena on Wednesday, not once but twice in a furious fourth quarter.

The first time: Trailing by 21 points, the Dallas Mavericks spun into a tornado and went on a 22-2 run. Would they really go ahead and lead?

(They failed to do so.)

The second time: With 4:12 remaining, Luka Doncic collided with Jaylen Brown and was called for his sixth and final foul. Would review result in the call being reversed?

(It wasn’t.)

And as a result, history now poses the intriguing question:

When will the 18th championship in the history of the Boston Celtics be officially declared?

Back in Boston, no cigars have been lighted, but the Celtics can smell the scent coming from Dallas. Because the record of teams leading 3-0 in best-of-seven series is 156-0, with a 14-0 record in the Finals. Because, apart from that spectacular fourth-quarter performance in Game 3, the Mavericks haven’t given many indications that history will be refuted.

Five lessons can be learned from the Celtics’ 106-99 victory in Game 3, along with a possible explanation for the outcome:

1. The J in Jayson is back

Tatum, who was unable to establish a rhythm prior to Game 3, was finally saved by the now-familiar sight of a high-arching trajectory culminating in a splash.

His jump shot was decent enough to boost his confidence, assist the Celtics in taking early lead in the game, and offer Boston another tool to use against Dallas.

Tatum wasn’t necessary for the Celtics to score points effectively in the first two games because they had plenty of support, which was fortunate considering he was ineffective. Not in the third game. Given that the series is now in Dallas, the Mavericks are in a dire situation, the Celtics are missing Kristaps Porzingis, and Tatum’s return to form would be greatly appreciated by Boston.

Tatum answered. He scored twenty of his thirty-one points in the first half and consistently stopped the Mavericks’ attempts at an inbounds pass to build a commanding advantage. Even though Doncic and Kyrie Irving combined for 37 points to punish the Celtics in the first half, the Mavericks only led by one point at the half, mostly thanks to Tatum.

Tatum not only set the tone but also laid the groundwork for the guy who may earn Finals MVP.

2. Doncic and Dallas were defeated by Brown.

Brown completed the task by following Tatum’s lead, capping the 1-2 punch. Not only did Brown score 24 of his 30 points in the second half, but he was also quite impressive throughout that period.

It’s placed into perspective by two plays:

One: Near the end of the third quarter, his slam put the Celtics up fifteen points and (temporarily) silenced the Mavericks and American Airlines Center.

Two: Brown attacked and deftly beat Doncic to the spot, causing the contact that sent Doncic to the bench permanently. Brown realized that Doncic was one foul away from being dismissed.

Brown further proved that he presents Doncic with a challenging challenge, as this series is beginning to indicate.

or anyone else during the second and, particularly, the fourth quarters.

Brown stated, “I think this team has trusted me to just be who I am, especially in these playoffs and those moments.” “I had the impression that all it took to deliver was composure and patience. I’ve been able to seize those opportunities when they’ve offered themselves.

However, we managed to execute moves and come out on top. And each time we found ourselves in those situations, we lost. Overcoming that alongside my brother, Jason, and our team was fantastic. That was unique.

Tatum and Brown combined for 61 points, which is pretty much what they’ve done all season and for the majority of their careers together.

3. For Kyrie, it was all in vain.

Following a week in which he acknowledged the obvious—that his contribution to this series was minimal—Kyrie Irving reverted to the relentless point scorer that the entire postseason had witnessed.

In the first two games combined, he scored 28 points. In Game 3, he scored 35. At times, Kyrie was unstoppable, shaking opponents, finding his sweet spots on the court, and making step-back shots.

Ultimately, it was meaningless for Dallas, just as Tatum’s awful shooting in Boston’s opening two games was meaningless.

With four minutes and change left, Doncic fouled out, which proved to be a pivotal moment for Kyrie. Is he going to be the hero who makes up for the significant absence and gives the Mavs a shot at winning this series?

Shortly after, on a layup, Kyrie did get the Mavericks within one point. However, that was the closest they would come, as Irving was forced to pass by the Celtics, and he only ever made two free throws instead of another basket.

He said, “Jrue (Holiday) was picking me up full court.” They were prepared to put pressure on me to release the ball from my grasp.

“I simply tried to execute the right plays, position guys correctly, and convey to them that we still have a chance to win this basketball game.” That was all I could think of.

4. Mavs support is still insufficient

Mavs coach Jason Kidd blew the dust off Tim Hardaway Jr. and gave him extended Game 3 minutes, a move that could only be described as desperate. Hardaway played just 27 minutes in this series after being removed from the lineup months prior.

But Kidd was reaching for explanations, which is what happens when the role players’ roll call, again, came up basically empty.

At best, Daniel Gafford, P.J. Washington, Dereck Lively II, and Derrick Jones Jr. were the players who consistently came through for Doncic during the postseason.

Their difficulties are partly understandable, considering this is their first experience with mid-June hoops. They are obviously no match for the resources the Celtics are providing to Tatum and Brown.

5. No issue, no Porzingis

Ironically, Porzingis was sidelined by his most recent ailment, which was unfortunate because injuries had marred his time with the Mavericks. It did not, however, avert the Celtics’ fate in Game 3.

Surprisingly, Al Horford and Xavier Tillman were sufficient to prevent the Mavericks from taking advantage. In Games 1 and 2, Porzingis was particularly effective as a rim protector, forcing the Mavericks to reconsider their rim-attacking strategy with timely blocks.

Again, even without Porzingis, there were not many dunks off lobs by Lively, Gafford, and the others. Horford recorded a block and two steals.

And when Tillman, a stealthy midseason addition from Memphis, was forced into action, he replied in 11 minutes with two blocks and his first 3-pointer of the playoffs. Considering the circumstances and the stakes, those eleven minutes were the most significant of his career.

Horford remarked, “Obviously, I was probably going to play some more.” “Afterwards, we required a bench player to provide us with minutes, and Xavier excelled in that role this evening. Time and again, he maintained his composure defensively with his intensity. He was just waiting for this to happen.

“Sitting in that position is not easy. When he entered, he also eliminated the big three. On defense, though, he was unique. Despite not having an opportunity in the first two games, he persevered and made the most of it.