NBA Finals: Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks
The NBA postseason has been full of surprises and excitement. It’s been a rollercoaster for fans, from the Warriors losing in the play-ins (big shoutout to Klay Thompson) to the Lakers getting swept respectfully. Hate watching the Nuggets lose to the Minnesota Timberwolves was amazing, as was the Milwaukee Bucks’ defeat by Tyrese Haliburton’s Indiana Pacers.
But now, the fun’s over, and we’re in crunch time. The Kings of the East and West are set to clash in the NBA Finals: the Boston Celtics vs. the Dallas Mavericks.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics have been title favourites almost all season, cruising through the East with a 64-18 regular season record. Their playoff journey has been relatively smooth, winning 12 of 14 games by defeating the Miami Heat 4-1, Cleveland Cavaliers 4-1, and Indiana Pacers 4-0. Despite facing teams with various challenges, Boston’s performances have been dominant.
Key Players:
Jaylen Brown: The Eastern Conference Finals MVP has averaged 25 points on 54.1% shooting, 6.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.1 steals per game postseason. His highlights include a game-tying 3-pointer in Game 1 against Indiana and a 40-point performance in Game 2. In his 8th year, he has shown significant improvement.
Jayson Tatum: Quietly efficient, averaging 26.0 points, 10.4 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.1 steals per game, Tatum is on a mission to redeem himself after an underwhelming 2022 finals.
Defensive Standouts: All-Defensive 2nd Team stars Jrue Holiday and Derrick White are crucial for disrupting Dallas’ offense, though they’ll have their work cut out against Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic.
The return of Center Kristaps Porzingis adds another dimension to this tie. Porzingis has been out with a calf strain injury since game one vs Miami Heat and at 7’2 his return adds height to the side alongside more shooting depth, something coach Joe Mazzulla will be happy about.
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks have had a tough but impressive journey, finishing 5th in the highly competitive West. They’ve defeated three of the West’s top 4 seeds: the No. 4 LA Clippers, No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder, and No. 3 Minnesota Timberwolves. They’ve played 16 games in the postseason, compared to Boston’s 14, with the Western Conference finals being surprisingly the easiest series.
Key Players:
Luka Doncic: The Western Conference MVP, has averaged 28.8 points with six triple-doubles in the postseason. He played a crucial role in the series win over Minnesota, including a clutch 3-pointer in Game 2. Doncic is deserving of his first ring.
Kyrie Irving: Averaging 22.8 points in the postseason, Irving has focused on basketball this season, avoiding controversy. This is his first NBA Finals in 7 years, returning to face a team he made unfulfilled promises to.
Supporting Cast: Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford have been essential in defense, holding opponents to just 50.2 percent shooting on 2s in the playoffs entering Game 5 against Minnesota. Dante Exum and Josh Green have had decent spells and will play pivotal roles against Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.
Head-to-Head
In the regular season, the Celtics won both games against the Mavericks.
Summary
While the consensus leans towards a Boston victory, the talent and determination of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving make the Mavericks formidable opponents. This series promises to be thrilling, with both teams hopefully bringing their best to the court. So sit back, relax, and enjoy.
