NBA Playoffs: Celtics and Mavericks win Game 3

Kyrie Irving scored 22 points, including a running left-hander in the lane in the final minute to help Dallas hold on, as the Mavericks defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 105-101 on Saturday to take a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference playoffs.

Luka Doncic also had 22 points and 15 rebounds, while P.J. Washington scored 27, two shy of his postseason high from the previous game.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put up 31 points, 10 rebounds, and four blocks in a solid performance.

Oklahoma City has dropped consecutive games after opening 5-0 in the playoffs, with Game 4 scheduled for Monday night at Dallas.

Jayson Tatum scored 33 points, Jaylen Brown added 28, and Boston rebounded from a home loss by defeating Cleveland in Game 3 to grab a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

After losing Game 2 by 24 points at home, the top-seeded Celtics wasted no time.

That underwhelming performance—Boston was favored by double digits—was reminiscent of the first round, when the Celtics lost Game 2 against Miami before winning three straight to eliminate the Heat.

Tatum converted a three-point play, and the Celtics opened the second half with 14 consecutive points to build a 23-point lead.

Donovan Mitchell scored 33 points for Cleveland, but the All-Star guard worsened his left knee injury in the fourth quarter.