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Kyrie Irving · Confident and upbeat, even in the face of an uphill, 0-3 series deficit, the Dallas Mavericks took the win-or-go-home environment united by a bold, yet confident plan: pack a suitcase for a Game Five back on the Boston Celtics’ home floor, because the series wouldn’t conclude just yet. As he absorbed the scene of the American Airlines Center crowd, captivated and eager to see a 34-point lead expand, Kyrie Irving found time to coordinate an early flight of sorts. Urgent in his approach despite the lopsided score, the Hall of Fame-bound combo guard begins directing traffic prior to crossing halfcourt, ultimately receiving the ball atop the 3-point arc with Boston’s defense unprepared. A master in the art of angles and timing, Irving unleashes a pinpoint dime, hitting his highflying teammate in stride to set up a thunderous, crowd-stirring slam. Irving’s fearless wizardry in both creating for himself and others proved vital in helping Dallas end Boston’s 10-game postseason win streak on June 14, 2024. In keying a 38-point win — the third-largest in NBA Finals history — Irving did a little bit of everything in just 31 minutes time, logging 21 points, four rebounds, six assists, one 3-pointer, and a +28 plus-minus. · State of Mint