Finals 2024 - G1 - Mavs @ Celtics (Thursd., 8:30PMEST)

[joesha1698]

The Mavs has to create the situation to win. On paper, Boston wins almost everything. This is a Boston team which visit the Finals very often. Boston is one of few team which create a roster with somewhat 2-wayed players in key rotation under the hard cap. But this is the same team losing to Miami. Boston loves to create mismatches and set screen for opened 3s, The Mavs has to think outside of the box and breaks those common senses. Of course, it takes major growth of players to make the case. Since Boston is rather short in rotation, the Mavs should stay aggressive to create a short-handed situation. It may be risky to play many young player. But it has to be to make the case. Within the first two games, the Mavs has to take one, or else, it's a rather short series.

I have Dallas winning fairly easily. Luka is the best player onnthe court. Our frontcourt has been tested and Al Hordford's BBIQ is my only concern. It's not KP.

Kyrie's focus is locked in and Luka and him are looking like a Championship combination.

Fairly easy? What makes you so certain? What exactly will we do different from the two games we lost to Boston in the regular season?

[Archx]

Ooofff this is wild. One of those situations when tanking pays of huge.

According to ESPN Stats & Information, Doncic has assisted Lively on 47 alley-oop dunks, the most lob completions of any duo this season, including the playoffs. Doncic has fed Lively for 49.8% of the 273 buckets (141 of which were dunks) he has scored in a Mavs uniform.

[Teffer10]

Ooofff this is wild. One of those situations when tanking pays of huge.

According to ESPN Stats & Information, Doncic has assisted Lively on 47 alley-oop dunks, the most lob completions of any duo this season, including the playoffs. Doncic has fed Lively for 49.8% of the 273 buckets (141 of which were dunks) he has scored in a Mavs uniform.

I still think Lively is the primary factor that will keep Luka in Dallas all of his career.

[Archx]

Ooofff this is wild. One of those situations when tanking pays of huge.

According to ESPN Stats & Information, Doncic has assisted Lively on 47 alley-oop dunks, the most lob completions of any duo this season, including the playoffs. Doncic has fed Lively for 49.8% of the 273 buckets (141 of which were dunks) he has scored in a Mavs uniform.

I still think Lively is the primary factor that will keep Luka in Dallas all of his career.

Yep. It's not hard playing with DPOY candidate who is also a much better offensive threat than Gobert.

[daoneandonly]

Ooofff this is wild. One of those situations when tanking pays of huge.

According to ESPN Stats & Information, Doncic has assisted Lively on 47 alley-oop dunks, the most lob completions of any duo this season, including the playoffs. Doncic has fed Lively for 49.8% of the 273 buckets (141 of which were dunks) he has scored in a Mavs uniform.

I still think Lively is the primary factor that will keep Luka in Dallas all of his career.

Yep. It's not hard playing with DPOY candidate who is also a much better offensive threat than Gobert.

Let's hope, that would be a dream. Luka is so good and Lively (also good) is so likeable. WOuld love to see that duo blossom. As much as I hated seeing what Brunson has become and how he walked for nothing, we wouldnt have gotten D-Live had he stayed, so have to be okay with it. And the Mavs are in the Finals, so cant harp on that too much. I just hate NY and DC

[dygaction]

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[Bob8]

If someone is still afraid about Luka's condition, his dad says he's 100%.

[Teffer10]

Ooofff this is wild. One of those situations when tanking pays of huge.

According to ESPN Stats & Information, Doncic has assisted Lively on 47 alley-oop dunks, the most lob completions of any duo this season, including the playoffs. Doncic has fed Lively for 49.8% of the 273 buckets (141 of which were dunks) he has scored in a Mavs uniform.

I still think Lively is the primary factor that will keep Luka in Dallas all of his career.

Yep. It's not hard playing with DPOY candidate who is also a much better offensive threat than Gobert.

Lively's defensive game is pretty well polished thanks to Chandler.
Now we just need to bring in Dirk to work on the offensive side

Seriously, the sky is the limit for this kid and him and Luka should complement each other well for many years. Cant imagine us not being any kind of contender for at least the next decade.

[MassimoPayne]

Do you know what the best thing about Lively is?
Worst case he he does not develop at all and stays like he is now, he is already a Top 15-20 Center.

[Mavrelous]

Take a moment to understand what this thread is, it's game 1 of the NBA finals, and the Mavs are playing...
Every year in the last few years I go to trade board, and draft board and see what interesting players are out there for the Mavs, I noticed draft is 3 weeks away and FA is less than 4 weeks away, I just realized I javen't done that, I haven't checked draft boards or wbo's rumored to be available, we're just not used to be still in PO mood in June...

[daoneandonly]

Take a moment to understand what this thread is, it's game 1 of the NBA finals, and the Mavs are playing...
Every year in the last few years I go to trade board, and draft board and see what interesting players are out there for the Mavs, I noticed draft is 3 weeks away and FA is less than 4 weeks away, I just realized I javen't done that, I haven't checked draft boards or wbo's rumored to be available, we're just not used to be still in PO mood in June...

Indeed, so super exciting. Love this time

[41Dirk41]

Vegas has Celtics heavily favored but 89% of bet are on Mavs... Do you see them lose money?

Trust me, bet all of your money on Boston.
No way Mavs can win the trophy. It's impossible.

We will see all together at Hawaii, i will pay the first mojito.

[HMFFL]

The Mavs has to create the situation to win. On paper, Boston wins almost everything. This is a Boston team which visit the Finals very often. Boston is one of few team which create a roster with somewhat 2-wayed players in key rotation under the hard cap. But this is the same team losing to Miami. Boston loves to create mismatches and set screen for opened 3s, The Mavs has to think outside of the box and breaks those common senses. Of course, it takes major growth of players to make the case. Since Boston is rather short in rotation, the Mavs should stay aggressive to create a short-handed situation. It may be risky to play many young player. But it has to be to make the case. Within the first two games, the Mavs has to take one, or else, it's a rather short series.

I have Dallas winning fairly easily. Luka is the best player onnthe court. Our frontcourt has been tested and Al Hordford's BBIQ is my only concern. It's not KP.

Kyrie's focus is locked in and Luka and him are looking like a Championship combination.

Fairly easy? What makes you so certain? What exactly will we do different from the two games we lost to Boston in the regular season?

Much has changed since those rosters. Have you not noticed?

In the Janaury game we couldn't make our shots and especially our three point shooting. We held our own in the paint and we should control the pant in the post season. My main concern is Al Horford and White for Boston. We know what to expect from Tatum and Brown.

[Mavrelous]

Luka probable, OMax questionable

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[GermanFan120]

Luka probable, OMax questionable

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I like Questionable Luka, not sure about probable Luka...

Seems like Mavs will lose by default now.

[GermanFan120]

I have Dallas winning fairly easily. Luka is the best player onnthe court. Our frontcourt has been tested and Al Hordford's BBIQ is my only concern. It's not KP.

Kyrie's focus is locked in and Luka and him are looking like a Championship combination.

Fairly easy? What makes you so certain? What exactly will we do different from the two games we lost to Boston in the regular season?

Much has changed since those rosters. Have you not noticed?

In the Janaury game we couldn't make our shots and especially our three point shooting. We held our own in the paint and we should control the pant in the post season. My main concern is Al Horford and White for Boston. We know what to expect from Tatum and Brown.

Nah, Mavs will get destroyed fairly easy. This Boston team is as good as the 1996 Bulls.

[41Dirk41]

KP press conference was scary, very scary... He laughed a lot, his face was just a big smile all the time.

He will be at 200% tonight, well rested for the Finals.
Boston in 3. They are too good.

Luckily we all betted on them. Easy money incoming.
That's good.

[Teffer10]

I think these teams are more evenly matched than people think.
Luka seems like the Patrick Mahomes of the NBA and Kyrie's leadership has elevated to a new level. We have the wings that can give their stars some resistance and we should have the advantage in the paint.

Our bench will be our biggest problem but with 5 days rest that hopefully wont be too big of an issue in game 1.

Personally, I think game 1 will be huge for us to make a statement early in the series.

[Bob8]

I think these teams are more evenly matched than people think.
Luka seems like the Patrick Mahomes of the NBA and Kyrie's leadership has elevated to a new level. We have the wings that can give their stars some resistance and we should have the advantage in the paint.

Our bench will be our biggest problem but with 5 days rest that hopefully wont be too big of an issue in game 1.

Personally, I think game 1 will be huge for us to make a statement early in the series.

It's 7 days rest, enough for Luka to become fat again.

Celtics will try to kill Mavs with 3s early and sequentially take our bigs out of a game. We just have to survive Q1 and will have a chance. Hopefully Celtics have their average 3-pts shooting not something around 50%. Our bigs not being forced out off lineups is the key for this series. I don't believe Gafford will be able to play his normal minutes, I hope Lively can stay on the court and Kleber plays good, when we go small, which we for sure will. Kidd will need to be patient, he can't react to every run Celtics make with changing lineup. We won't win this series, if Kleber plays big minutes on C.

[dygaction]

Would not be surprised that NONE of these still in top 10 if it is a long series.

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