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

[durden_tyler]

Just FYI, lines for Game 2:

Mavericks +7.0
Over/Under 214.5

So practically the same line but if you're betting Dallas time to get that spread (or moneyline) NOW for best value!

[celtxman]

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.

Yup. It's all about Game 2 now.

[OnlyTheTruth]

Damn Boston just punched a lot of haters in the mouth.

[GeorgeSears]

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.

I'm skeptical, because this Celtics team is really good.

[___Rand___]

The fact this board is so focused on Tatum’s performance compared to Dallas’ garbage performance as a team tells me all I need to know about the hate. Kyrie Irving was literal trash out there yet not a peep made about him. Or anyone really in Dallas including Doncic who wasn’t even good for his standards. That’s what should be focused on

IMO Tatum played well here. I don't care about the points he scored. He was driving to the bucket more, causing Mavs to foul him, breaking down their defense, stressing it and getting looks for his teammates. He also played well on defense. I thought he played a great game overall except a few instances where he settled for 3s over the head of Luka and Kleber.

He had some bad turnovers as well. But the way the Mavs were covering him sending 2 or 3 whenever he drove in, I expected Tatum wasn’t gonna have a big game because it’s not required with the way Dallas is playing defense. Dallas has to pick your poison, either don’t pack the paint and let Tatum and brown kill you or you cover like you did today and the Celtics will kill you from three where they excel at.

Eh he was facing triple teams in the paint, it wasn't like Embiid type turnovers. I wasn't counting those against him. I think the TOs were early in the game wasn't it because I don't recall him turning it over from 2nd Q on.

[Johnny Firpo]

Fairly typical game 1 from the Mavs, they'll need their typical game 2 too, in the worst way. KP was fantastic, he really made this team reach the next level, if he was more durable/could play more, he could be a perennial all-star.

[doogie_hauser]

I think the Mavs were shook/unprepared how strong and impaction Porzingis was after a lengthy layoff.

It definitely did take me a little by surprise and massive delight.

Massive props to the Celtics medical and coaching staff for not rushing him back, we did luck out having a somewhat easy path to the Finals and long time for Unicorn to recover.

Think it also shows how important it still is to have home court advantage (although oddly enough,the only 2 Celtics playoff losses so far has been at home)

Anyhow KP could very well earn a KG/Garnett legacy at Boston if he plays like this for the rest of the finals.

[Patches Perry]

Just FYI, lines for Game 2:

Mavericks +7.0
Over/Under 214.5

So practically the same line but if you're betting Dallas time to get that spread (or moneyline) NOW for best value!

FWIW, the +6.5 line in game 1 basically didn't move the entire week before the game. If the spread is +7.0 for game 2, I'd bet it goes to +7.5 or higher before coming down after that blowout. Give it until tomorrow and I bet that spread is +7.5 or +8.0

[shi-woo]

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.

JJ has had an ego to him for the past 3 months, and has been rude to his colleges on air. The guy has snapped at Doris Burke of all people so many games i've watched, it's ridiculous. Wouldn't surprise me at all if he was burning bridges

[kacey ring]

Props to the Celtics crowd. You all were loud and proud. Gave Kyrie some hell too.

[RB34]

I think the Mavs were shook/unprepared how strong and impaction Porzingis was after a lengthy layoff.

It definitely did take me a little by surprise and massive delight.

Massive props to the Celtics medical and coaching staff for not rushing him back, we did luck out having a somewhat easy path to the Finals and long time for Unicorn to recover.

Think it also shows how important it still is to have home court advantage (although oddly enough,the only 2 Celtics playoff losses so far has been at home)

Anyhow KP could very well earn a KG/Garnett legacy at Boston if he plays like this for the rest of the finals.

I can’t see why he can’t keep performing like this. Pretty much hit his averages.

[GrandTheftRondo]

Still waiting for that Mavs Porzingis hater to appear and tell us how useless he is

[JustBuzzin]

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.

JJ has had an ego to him for the past 3 months, and has been rude to his colleges on air. The guy has snapped at Doris Burke of all people so many games i've watched, it's ridiculous. Wouldn't surprise me at all if he was burning bridges

Dude has been like that since Duke. He needs to change that attitude if he plans to become a HC. Players will quit on him early if he brings that attitude with coaching.

[Curmudgeon]

As I said before, the story of this game is that Dallas couldn't score 90 points against the Celtics' defense, even though Doncic had 30 by himself (on 12-26 shooting, 4-12 from long range). P.J. Washington was decent-- but missed all of his 3 pointers--Gafford did nothing, Kyrie did nothing and Hardy scored his points in garbage time. Lively had 1 pt and 5 fouls.

The reality is that the Mavs role players sucked. They aren't good enough.

[___Rand___]

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.

You're being too harsh on Kidd. He's had master piece coaching through out 3 series in the West. I agree about Gafford vs. Kleber. I don't get why he loves Kleber so much (well I kinda do - at least Kleber can shoot while Gafford doesn't). KP was unstoppable. You put Lively on him, they switch it up, what are you gonna do? Your bigs can't shoot but KP can. That's the difference in the game - KP, and Kyrie's terrible shooting.

[Celts17Pride]

Celtics look impressive. Boy we are not ready for another 16 years of gloating about one championship if they do end up winning this one

If Tatum and Brown break through then look out. Could be a few more on the way. Long way to go though. This is just the first step in this series

[GrandTheftRondo]

As I said before, the story of this game is that Dallas couldn't score 90 points against the Celtics' defense, even though Doncic had 30 by himself (on 12-26 shooting, 4-12 from long range). P.J. Washington was decent-- but missed all of his 3 pointers--Gafford did nothing, Kyrie did nothing and Hardy scored his points in garbage time. Lively had 1 pt and 5 fouls.

The reality is that the Mavs role players sucked. They aren't good enough.

It’s also about the way the Celtics are defending.

I thought the Wolves and some other teams during the season make it way too easy for Luka to find open players offensively.

In today’s NBA especially if you cannot get your teammates good looks you will not win many games.

Boston has always had the defensive personnel to live with Luka going one on one and not being able to find shooters wide open.

[Jellybeans]

Fairly typical game 1 from the Mavs, they'll need their typical game 2 too, in the worst way. KP was fantastic, he really made this team reach the next level, if he was more durable/could play more, he could be a perennial all-star.

Hes been healthy +/- all season long and havent had problems since leaving Dallas.His played games where low because he and Al rotated all back to back games.Two random calf strains with this last one for 4 weeks where just out of nowhere

[GrandTheftRondo]

Celtics absolutely blew the Mavs away in terms of 3 point attempts.

Going to be interesting how they adjust.

Relying on the Celtics going stone cold for an entire series simply won’t work, especially with some of the looks the Celtics were getting.

[RB34]

Kidd saying the Mavs won the 4th.

Hardy out there playing life and death while everyone else knows it over.

Hang your hat on that one JKidd