3 Duds, 2 studs from Mavericks' painful Game 3 loss to Celtics

The Dallas Mavericks were expected to win Game 3 of the NBA Finals by some optimistic fans who thought the team could turn the tide of the series. The team was 5-3 at home in the playoffs and all signs pointed toward Dallas bouncing back at home.

Another factor on Dallas' side was the injury to Kristaps Porzingis. The former Mav was diagnosed with a torn medial retinaculum.

The injury was expected to do wonders for the team considering how effective Porzingis had been in the series. It was supposed to open up the paint, as Mavs centers like Daniel Gafford were expected to step up. That however hasn't been the case for the Mavs' starter. Gafford had six points and three rebounds in 16 minutes of action on Wednesday.

3 Duds, 2 studs from Mavericks' painful Game 3 loss to Celtics

All-Star Kyrie Irving has not been much help either. He combined for 28 points and seven assists in Games 1 and 2. The biggest statistic was his shooting. Irving had gone 0-8 from the 3-point line in the first two games.

His numbers changed in Game 3 though, as Dallas fell to the Celtics 106-99. Irving scored 35 points, knocking down 66 percent of his attempted 3-pointers.

Irving's tremendous game was not enough though. Star Luka Doncic scored 27 points and had six rebounds. However, most of his points came in the first half, as he had 16 points at halftime.

The biggest highlight though was Doncic's foul trouble. The Mavs guard fouled out with 4:12 left in the game after being called for a blocking foul on Jaylen Brown.

Other Game 3 issues included the team's inability to play consistent defense and struggles to maintain leads. The Mavs were up 13 in the first quarter but saw the lead evaporate towards the end of the quarter.

So, what went right and what went wrong for the team Wednesday?

Here are three duds and two studs from the Dallas Mavericks' Game 3 loss to the Boston Celtics.

5. Dud - Maxi Kleber

One player who had been playing well at the start of the NBA playoffs was Maxi Kleber. The Mavs forward averaged 5.2 points per game against the LA Clippers and shot 55.6 percent from the 3-point line. He, however, went down in Game 6 of the Clippers' series after suffering a dislocated AC joint in his right shoulder.

Mavs fans were anticipating his return for the longest time. They believed he would give the team an extra big who could stretch the floor and provide lethal shooting.

Kleber though has yet to return to his old form since his return. Against the Minnesota Timberwolves, he averaged 2.5 points per game and shot 33.3 percent from the field.

His struggles have continued in the NBA Finals. Defensively, he had trouble containing players on the wing, as the Celtics had no problem shooting over Maxi.

Kleber has also been a no-show on the offensive side. He shot 0-2 on Wednesday and missed his only 3-point attempt.

This is nothing new, as the Mavs veteran had shot 20 percent in the first two games combined. Kleber seems lost at times and lacks confidence when in the game.

It seems as though the injury has limited his ability to adapt to his old self.

4. Stud - Dereck Lively II

One player though that performed well Wednesday was Mavericks rookie Dereck Lively II. The Dallas center had his best game of the series, as he poured in a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds.

He was a menace on the defensive side, fighting for loose balls and being aggressive down low. Lively II also finished the game with two steals. One main statistic was his shooting; he went 5-6 from the field.

This was a big difference from his first two games in the finals. Lively II combined for four points and 12 rebounds in Games 1 and 2.

His development has been a huge step for the Mavs. Dallas traded for the rookie on draft night. Lively II was expected to be a future development but adapted quickly for the Mavericks.

The Mavs rookie has been working on adding another skill to his game. Lively II has been practicing his 3-point shot. The 7-foot-1 center believes he could become a shooter within the coming years, and the reps and form back that up.

It's no wonder he was voted onto the All-Rookie Second Team. His continued development will be crucial for the team's future success.

The Mavs will need their rookie to play up to par in Game 4 if they hope to make history.

3. Dud - Luka Doncic

One player who had a mixed game was All-Star Luka Doncic. The Mavs' star started off the game hot, scoring eight points in under six minutes. He would go on to have 16 points at the half.

The problem? He struggled to get things going in the second half, as his shooting and foul trouble made the difference. Doncic went 1-7 from the 3-point line. This was his worst performance in the series, as he had knocked down four 3-pointers in the past two games.

Overall, he shot 40.7 percent. This is a dip from his regular numbers, as he had knocked down above 45 percent of his shots.

On the plus side, he limited his amount of turnovers. Doncic had three turnovers Wednesday, five less than the previous game. He also converted 100 percent of his free throw attempts.

However, his inability to stay in the game and play defense might have hurt the team.

Doncic picked up his sixth foul with 4:12 left in the game. This was a critical turning point in the game, as Dallas had cut the Celtics' lead to three points. The team failed to recover from Doncic's absence.

His defense too was a concern. Boston' players seemed to have no problem getting past the Mavs' MVP.

Doncic will need to be near perfect for Dallas to avoid elimination Friday.

Doncic received injections to help with the pain of his thoracic contusion before Game 2, and likely before Game 3, and he'll need to have his best game of the playoffs if the Mavs want to win.

2. Stud - Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving's performance Wednesday almost helped the team pull off a major upset. The Mavs' guard had his best game of the series, leading the team with 35 points.

The biggest eye-catching moment was his ability to knock down four 3-pointers. Overall, Irving knocked down 66.7 of his attempted 3-pointers. This was a major improvement from the first two games, as he struggled to knock down a single attempt from long range.

Irving did a great job attacking the basket. He demonstrated poise and patience in his ability to crossover defenders and find the open man.

His biggest moment came in the fourth quarter. After Luka Doncic fouled out the game, Irving did his best to carry the team. With 3:37 left in the game, Irving knocked down a jumper to bring the Mavs within a point.

Dallas however failed to pull through as that would be their closest attempt to making a comeback.

Defensively, Irving also did a great job forcing his opponents into tough shots. He does a great job using his body to make it difficult inside.

Irving's consistency will be critical if Dallas hopes to make history. Remember, Irving told Celtics fans that the Mavs would be back for a Game 5.

1. Dud - Tim Hardaway Jr.

One final player who struggled heavily for the Mavericks was Tim Hardaway Jr. The Dallas veteran saw his minutes increase on Wednesday. However, the shooting guard struggled to take advantage of the opportunity.

Hardaway Jr. had 0 points and three rebounds in 19 minutes of action. He also had -16 plus/minus. The guard went 0-5 from the field and missed all three of his 3-point attempts.

He struggled on the defensive end, as the Celtics seemed to have no issue scoring whenever he was on the court.

It is possible Coach Jason Kidd inserted Hardaway Jr. into the lineup as a desperation move. Many of the team's role players struggled in the Finals, and Hardaway Jr. might have been a solution and a scoring spark off the bench.

However, he has continued to show why Coach Kidd cannot trust him in the playoffs.

His best performance came against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He averaged 6.7 points per game and shot 41.7 from the field in the field. Yet, he struggled to knock down the 3-point shot, hitting 33.3 percent of his attempts.

Could this be the end of his journey with the Dallas Mavericks?

Only time will tell. The Mavericks will need to respond fast if they hope to complete the biggest comeback in NBA history.