6 Reasons the Mavericks will make history and defeat Celtics in Finals

5. Improved play of Mavericks role players

During the first three games of the 2024 NBA Finals, the Dallas Mavericks role players failed to show up. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving failed to have much support from those around them outside of some good games from P.J. Washington, but that was a different case in Game 4.

The Mavs got out to an early lead, and the support that Doncic and Irving got from the players around them propelled them to that blowout win in Game 4.

Dante Exum was phenomenal in Game 4, and his hustle and energy on defense combined with his shot-making on offense made him tough to stop. Exum finally seemed to gain his confidence back after a rough stretch over the last couple of weeks, and he proved that Jason Kidd can trust him more in this series.

Tim Hardaway Jr. also had a huge bounce-back game that fans have been waiting for as he finished with 15 points while making five threes, and although the game was out of reach during his minutes, Hardaway Jr. gained some much-needed confidence as the series heads back to Boston for Game 5.

The Mavs continue to get the most out of Dereck Lively II as he dropped his second-straight double-double in Game 4, and his rim running, all-around defense, and energy have been huge for Dallas. He also showed off his range in Game 4 as he drilled his first 3-pointer of his career, and his belief in this team is at a respectable level, but he isn't getting too far ahead of himself.

He is taking things one game at a time, and his leadership as a rookie has been remarkable.