2024 NBA FINALS: #1 Boston Celtics vs #5 Dallas Mavericks (Game 1: Thursday June 6th)

[sammo89]

The Celtics have put up a historic season and they've been banging on Larry O'brien's door for 5 years in a row now. They're not missing this opportunity and they will manhandle the Mavs to put the easy path talk to rest. I'm going Boston in 5 just out of respect for Luka but I wouldn't be shocked by a sweep

[Raps in 4]

Mavs in 4

[robbie84]

Celtics in five. Luka will win a title same day, but it won’t be this year. Celtics have five of the best seven players and homecourt. Now or never.

Celtics had 5 of the 7 best players in the Warriors seires, and Curry beat you guys in 6.

Sometimes you just need the best player on the court. Mavs have that, by far. Hoping its a competitive series. Anyone can take it.

Curry was the best player but he also had one of the greatest finals performances in NBA history.

This Celtics team is also much better than the 2022 team was with Holiday and Porzingis replacing Smart and Grant Williams. It's an enormous upgrade.

The Mavs back court is arguably the best scoring/shot creation duo ever, and the Celtics back court is arguably the best defensive duo ever.
The Celtics are also going to be able to switch everything- which the Wolves could not.
Luke and Kyrie are going to be targeted by wings with size RELENTLESSLY.

It's going to be fun that's for sure.

[Dez]

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Celtics bigs struggle with the energy and athleticism of Gafford/Lively.

Mavs in 6 with Luka and Kyrie being dominant.

[chrisab123]

Does this series for the Celtics count? I know the last three didn’t. I just wanted to know what the Asterisk Army decided.

Giannis missed some games and Middleton I think missed one so none of these games count.

[chrisab123]

The media and the fans will heavily favor Dallas,

No way this happens. I expect the media picks to be 60-40% to Celtics or close to 50-50 at worst. More fans will probably root for the Mavs though, since the Celtics is such a huge franchise, and as such, many teams actively root against them (just like the Lakers).

The media has been pushing the easy narrative for Boston and fawning over Kyrie/Luka. I'd be stunned if it was 60/40 Boston. Stunned

[Inspektor1312]

Time for Luka to get his first ring.
Gonna be hard af but he's that guy.

[Johnny Firpo]

The media and the fans will heavily favor Dallas,

No way this happens. I expect the media picks to be 60-40% to Celtics or close to 50-50 at worst. More fans will probably root for the Mavs though, since the Celtics is such a huge franchise, and as such, many teams actively root against them (just like the Lakers).

The media has been pushing the easy narrative for Boston and fawning over Kyrie/Luka. I'd be stunned if it was 60/40 Boston. Stunned

That's true, but at the same time, they understand this is a great team. Both can be true, they think you had an easy path, and they think the team is really good.

[rapstarter]

Can't wait for Bill Simmons to call the Celtics the greatest team of all time and yet label them the underdogs.

[Curmudgeon]

So who is going to guard Tatum and Brown? And Kyrie is going to have to guard someone. Will it be Jrue Holiday or Derrick White? Good luck with that.

[ChiTownHero1992]

My gut is leaning Celtics in 6 but my heart is saying Mavericks in 6....I honestly don't know which one will happen. I'd much rather see the Mavericks though!

[chrisab123]

No way this happens. I expect the media picks to be 60-40% to Celtics or close to 50-50 at worst. More fans will probably root for the Mavs though, since the Celtics is such a huge franchise, and as such, many teams actively root against them (just like the Lakers).

The media has been pushing the easy narrative for Boston and fawning over Kyrie/Luka. I'd be stunned if it was 60/40 Boston. Stunned

That's true, but at the same time, they understand this is a great team. Both can be true, they think you had an easy path, and they think the team is really good.

Oh I don't think anyone will dispute the Celtics had an easier path, but the way they dispatched those teams were impressive. Especially taking into account the usual boogeymen in Miami who they historically struggle against.

[SA37]

A lot of people are pointing out the Celtics defensive personel for guarding Luka, but he is one of the few players that can figure out a team over a series.

I made that point in my post, but that's just saying Boston has the personnel to make things tough for Luka/Irving. If/when they get hot, it won't matter who is out there trying to guard them.

That said, in the regular season, Doncic had monster games and the Celtics still won both. That doesn't mean that is what will happen this series, but it shows Boston can withstand a monster Doncic game (iirc, Doncic had a 30+point triple double in both regular season games).

[MassimoPayne]

I am not worried at all.
Luka seems to get disproportionately motivated when he gets provoked by fans. Boston fans will do their job and fuel him
Mavs just need to get the games relatively close in the 4th. the rest will be done by Luka, Kyrie and the shot selection from the Celtics

[UNCBlue012]

I am not worried at all.
Luka seems to get disproportionately motivated when he gets provoked by fans. Boston fans will do their job and fuel him
Mavs just need to get the games relatively close in the 4th. the rest will be done by Luka, Kyrie and the shot selection from the Celtics

To be fair, Boston could say the same thing. They're so good in the fourth quarter now.

[God Squad]

This is the first competitive series the Celtics will face in the playoffs.

[Yinwest]

Al Horford is a bigger X-Factor than KP IMO.

And he needs that ring in the worst way.

[FlatearthZorro]

This is the first competitive series the Celtics will face in the playoffs.

If they win in 4 or 5, does it count as competitive?or everybody just sucks and Boston sucks less?

[jc23]

Can't wait for Bill Simmons to call the Celtics the greatest team of all time and yet label them the underdogs.

every celtics win he will praise all celtics and every celtic loss he will **** on all celtics. he is an entertaining sports guy but god damn is he a obnoxious boston homer.

[jc23]

This is the first competitive series the Celtics will face in the playoffs.

If they win in 4 or 5, does it count as competitive?or everybody just sucks and Boston sucks less?

boston sucks if they dont win in 3.