2024 NBA FINALS: #1 Boston Celtics vs #5 Dallas Mavericks (BOS leads 1-0)

[Fencer reregistered]

Brown wtf kind of ft was that?

I hoped he'd clean up his FT shooting during the week off.

[meh]

What's funny? Lively has been a defensive monster all playoffs long.

He's not a difference maker in this series. If he's your key, you are toast.

It's 1 game.
Mavs will need to unlock the lob threat against this Boston D.

I do think Lively's rim protection is less crucial in this series than against OKC and Minnesota because Boston has way more outside shooting.

Not really sure what you (or Mavs fans) mean by "key". Lively has been having an excellent playoffs though. I see no merit in you laughing at him.

I"m not laughing at him. JFC. I'm laughing at Mavs fans that think he will be a difference maker in this series. He's a good player, but a rookie.

[Riverwalk2021]

The Celtics didn't even play well except for Porzingis and Brown. KP is only gonna get better as the series goes. The Celtics have so many good defenders to throw at Luka/Irvin. Celtics have to feel super confident.

[MrGoat]

Absolutely pathetic coaching job by Kidd. So many people wanted to give him too much credit because his talented team got him further than he deserved. He played right into Boston's strengths again like he did in the regular season and avoided Gafford for Kleber.

They better hope this is the normal game 1 disaster that is a Mavs thing against everyone but Minny.

[The Corey's]

ESPN just told me no point it watching anymore. Whoever wins game 1 wins 70%+ of the time?

Celtics won game 1 in 2022.

It means nothing.

[dygaction]

Great opening game for the Celtics. Balanced scoring, very good defense, with everyone playing well. Game 2 is now must win for the Mavs. I don't see them coming back from 0-2 down.

It is under high pressure but series not starts until a home game loss. Mavs lost first two in a row (down 17 after 3 quarter in game 1 and lost 20 in game 2) to the same 64 win league leading Suns two years ago and won in game 7.

[Mavrelous]

Mavs fans have been saying that Lively is the key. OK. LMAO.

What's funny? Lively has been a defensive monster all playoffs long.

He had a bad stretch in the 3rd which, combined with kyrie's travel, killed the Mavs momentum.

Thing is, it was a rough game for a rookie. It's still a long series.

Lively's defense was massive part of that momentum, he was targeted by everyone and didn't yield an inch.
I thought he played great...

[Riverwalk2021]

Series is over. Kyrie has a mental block against the Celtics. 0-11 since stepping on Lucky?

Will he break out the sage?

[SerialChiller]

Why are adds even taking over the site on laptop this is too much.

I never see ads on this site.

Firefox FTW.

Might have to try, even now as I type using chrome the entire bottom of my screen is covered by a white ad that is like a bar across the screen taking up the bottom 2 inches. The ad blocker makes it not show but it still ruins the experience to the point I had to scroll down to even see the submit button!

[bisme37]

Celtics with 9 blocks, Mavs with 9 assists.

No lob dunks for Dallas.

Winning formula.

[GSP]

Just a reminder Svi Mykhailuk has scored more points in the NBA Finals than Joel Embiid

Best player in the world ROFL

Luke Garza has more conference finals points than Embiid too

[GrandTheftRondo]

Why is Tatum being interviewed? Brown and KP were the players of the game.

They want him to be the "guy" so badly and he just isn't.

He is a tier two all-star.

Yet has made all NBA first team three years in a row.

Great point!!!!

[Tha Cynic]

SVP just had a awkward conversation with JJ on Sports Center.

Asked him about coaching adjustments and JJ paused in disgust as if he was being taunted lmao

JJ Hurley

Could be stuff happening behind the scenes we don't know about where he is being mocked.

But the fact that he's even thinking of becoming a head coach with zero work as an assistant is wild.

[ThumbsUpBaby]

LeBron carrying teams for years and people loving it has got people obsessed with having one dude carry their team all season.

It’s absurd.

How can you watch that game and think Tatum simply has to score more???

He missed some shots but his unselfishness led to easy 3s for the Celtics all night.

Mavs don’t have a chance at defending that.

Generally casual fans just appreciate scoring. Surprised to see we still have a bunch of those on "hardcore" basketball forum like RealGM. Tatum played beautifully tonight, just made the right and non-flashy plays.

Scoring isn't everything, but get real. Dude was mid as **** tonight.

Made the right passes, played elite defense, and grabbed over 10 rebounds. Emphasis on REBOUNDS. I remember Lakers fans harping about how Kobe rebounded the ball in Game 7 back in 2010 despite how **** he played on offense.

But I guess Tatum was still mid as **** tonight.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

The difference this series is that Horford is "quick" enough to guard Doncic. That is massive.

This is true.

Horford can guard Doncic.

He bumps both Lively and Gafford off of the dunker spot.

He creates a match up nightmare for Dallas when he spots up for threes.

I even saw him on the court with Porzingis. How can Dallas defend that combination?

Sent from my SM-A146U using RealGM mobile app

[GrandTheftRondo]

Tatum learned two years ago what Edwards learned this season.

LeBron carrying teams for years and people loving it has got people obsessed with having one dude carry their team all season.

It’s absurd.

How can you watch that game and think Tatum simply has to score more???

He missed some shots but his unselfishness led to easy 3s for the Celtics all night.

Mavs don’t have a chance at defending that.

Generally casual fans just appreciate scoring. Surprised to see we still have a bunch of those on "hardcore" basketball forum like RealGM. Tatum played beautifully tonight, just made the right and non-flashy plays.

Used to see the same stuff with Curry

Never forget Durant cooking midgets and slow guys in mismatches because the Cavs would send two or three defenders to Curry.

Not saying Tatum is Curry but both dudes have had the fortune of playing on very good teams and knowing if they give up the ball willingly then good things will happens

That is literally what team basketball is all about.

[dygaction]

Absolutely pathetic coaching job by Kidd. So many people wanted to give him too much credit because his talented team got him further than he deserved. He played right into Boston's strengths again like he did in the regular season and avoided Gafford for Kleber.

They better hope this is the normal game 1 disaster that is a Mavs thing against everyone but Minny.

hopefully Kareem Porzingis' game goes back to norm.

[al bondiga]

It was evident the celtics Are poised to win the series easily... Dallas is out matched big time... Celtic fans are obnoxious... But you have to give it to them they have a juggernaut team over there

[Tha Cynic]

Personally the best strategy is not to overreact to the drive and just foul at the rim like the Celtics are doing and hope they don't get called imo. Jones, Washington, Lively and Gafford are not going to out-shoot the Celtics even if the Celtics are having a terrible shooting night from 3.

The Mavs have been good at making adjustments so let's see if they can someone overcome this.

[Mamba81p]

The difference this series is that Horford is "quick" enough to guard Doncic. That is massive.

This is true.

Horford can guard Doncic.

He bumps both Lively and Gafford off of the dunker spot.

He creates a match up nightmare for Dallas when he spots up for threes.

I even saw him on the court with Porzingis. How can Dallas defend that combination?

Sent from my SM-A146U using RealGM mobile app

They should target him with Kyrie, maybe that will get him going.
Kyrie is too quick for Horford