NBA Conference Finals | Mavericks top Warriors, stave off sweep to make it 3-1

Luka Doncic missed a triple-double by one assist and the Dallas Mavericks combined impressive 3-point shooting and defensive efforts to prevent a Golden State Warriors series sweep with a 119-109 triumph in Game 4 of the NBA Western Conference Finals

The Golden State Warriors' march toward the NBA Finals was delayed twice on Tuesday—first by rain, then by the host Dallas Mavericks.

Luka Doncic missed a triple-double by one assist and the Mavericks combined impressive 3-point shooting and defensive efforts into a season-saving 48 minutes, preventing a Warriors series sweep with a 119-109 triumph in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals.

Reggie Bullock tied his playoff career best with six of the Mavericks' 20 3-pointers, and the Dallas defense limited Golden State's star tandem of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson to a combined 32 points, forcing the best-of-seven series back to San Francisco for a fifth game on Thursday, with the Warriors leading 3-1.

"(Our approach was) one game at a time," said Jalen Brunson, who contributed 15 points to the Dallas cause. "Think about it as four Game 7s. Win or go home."

Seeking to rebound from three defeats that had come by a total of 43 points, the Mavericks dominated the second and third quarters, which were separated by an additional 20 minutes as a Dallas rainstorm found its way onto the court through a leaky roof at American Airlines Center.

Having shot 11-for-23 on 3-point attempts in the first half while building a 62-47 advantage, the Mavericks responded better to the delay, getting two 3-pointers apiece from Dorian Finney-Smith and Doncic plus a fifth from Bullock in a 19-9 burst that opened a 25-point advantage.

"We've been there before, and we've been able to execute," Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said, referring to two earlier home delays caused by a rim issue and another roof leak. "This group doesn't let anything faze them."