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

[Bob8]

Categorically false. The Mavs have no one who's going to stop the Celtics from scoring.

Mavs are one bull foul from playing game 7 in OKC. The Celtics are light-years better than OKC.

That logic doesn't always apply. Just speaking from Boston's experience, look at 2008. The way they struggled against the East would lead you to believe Kobe's Lakers would dominate. Light-years, idk. I'd expect OKC to run through Boston's postseason competition in similar fashion.

For sure.

Id also expect for the Celtics to run through the West too.

Everyone is dissing on them and their path but don't really acknowledge that the Celtics pace against the West had them on course for the same record they ended up with anyway.

I don't think it's a hot take to say the Celtics would of beat the suns, OKC and wolves or that because the Mavs did it and the Celtics didn't that the Celtics are unequipped and unprepared for the finals like others have suggested.

Luka is gonna get his. Irving will maybe sometimes get his. Tatum and Brown will cancel that out. Expecting for them to fall off from their pace and not Luka and Irving screams a bias to me that doesn't ring true with the facts.

I'll take Jrue, White and KP over the Mavs next 3.

Luka is a class better than Tatum/Brown.

[Mr_Mojo_Risin]

Tatum, Brown, Holiday, DWhite

Kyrie and Luka have to guard two of those players. Good Luck!

You sure? I think Luka might be matched on Horford a fair bit. Dallas has used him to defend stretch bigs a lot.

And while Luka/Kyrie have reps as poor defenders, nobody who paid even the slightest attention to the Western playoffs can be unaware how well both guys defended throughout the playoffs. They aren't Jrue and White by a long shot, but if your plan is to just hunt them instead of running your offense, I think Dallas will be thrilled.

I think Kidd will try Luka on Horford when on court, but that doesn’t protect Kyrie from being hunted and if not on court, then likely means Tatum will be on Lively or Gafford. Tatum will likely then pull Lively/Gafford away from the basket and make a play from there, in which case the paint will be open.

It will be a fascinating matchup.

[robbie84]

I'd love to see the Mavericks trot out a twin towers lineup with 2 weak defenders in the backcourt against the Celtics 5-out offense.

They're acting like going big is going to be a problem as if the Celtics don't shoot 50 3s a game.

That's hilarious.

Wolves were + 36 in 3s in game 1 and it still wasn't enough to win the game. Mavs will let Celtics shoot 3s, if they shoot near 50% it will be blowout, if not Mavs will have a chance. Nice thing in best of 7 series is that you can be blown out 3 times and still win the series.

Okc fans were 100% sure they will win. Wolves fans were 100% sure they will win, saying that Zombie apocalypse is more likely than Mavs winning. Now Celtics fans saying Mavs having 0 chances. I see a trend here.

Nobody is afraid of Celtics. Mavs have lost only 2 away games in playoffs and Luka is playing far better on road than at home, so home court advantage means 0.

I don't think Celtics fans are discrediting the Mavs. I think we are defending our team when we read comments like 'the Mavs will let the Celtics shoot threes' which is pretty cocky.
It's more that RealGM loves to discredit the Celtics in the hopes that they'll fail. Much of it comes from Danny Ainge's reign- he pissed alot of opposing fan bases off with how good he was Lol.

This is a team which went to the finals 2 years ago, has a top 5 player, has a top 15 player and the best defensive back court in NBA history. The Celtics are much better than the 2022 finals team but RealGM continues to hate instead of respecting how good they are and appreciating how good they are as basketball fans.

[The Corey's]

That logic doesn't always apply. Just speaking from Boston's experience, look at 2008. The way they struggled against the East would lead you to believe Kobe's Lakers would dominate. Light-years, idk. I'd expect OKC to run through Boston's postseason competition in similar fashion.

For sure.

Id also expect for the Celtics to run through the West too.

Everyone is dissing on them and their path but don't really acknowledge that the Celtics pace against the West had them on course for the same record they ended up with anyway.

I don't think it's a hot take to say the Celtics would of beat the suns, OKC and wolves or that because the Mavs did it and the Celtics didn't that the Celtics are unequipped and unprepared for the finals like others have suggested.

Luka is gonna get his. Irving will maybe sometimes get his. Tatum and Brown will cancel that out. Expecting for them to fall off from their pace and not Luka and Irving screams a bias to me that doesn't ring true with the facts.

I'll take Jrue, White and KP over the Mavs next 3.

Luka is a class better than Tatum/Brown.

They averaged less points in the conference finals combined than Tatum and Brown.

This idea that Luka is Bird and Tatum is Rick Fox is wild.

It's a wash.

[Mr_Mojo_Risin]

Which team do you think Grant Williams would want to win?

Celtics without doubt after the way he was run out of Dallas. The other sliding door with that trade I find interesting is the story about Dallas wanting Kuzma and him saying no then going after PJ at the time. Things have worked out well for Dallas.

Luka playing faster, passing earlier and giving more effort in defense has been the biggest difference though IMO.

[Bob8]

For sure.

Id also expect for the Celtics to run through the West too.

Everyone is dissing on them and their path but don't really acknowledge that the Celtics pace against the West had them on course for the same record they ended up with anyway.

I don't think it's a hot take to say the Celtics would of beat the suns, OKC and wolves or that because the Mavs did it and the Celtics didn't that the Celtics are unequipped and unprepared for the finals like others have suggested.

Luka is gonna get his. Irving will maybe sometimes get his. Tatum and Brown will cancel that out. Expecting for them to fall off from their pace and not Luka and Irving screams a bias to me that doesn't ring true with the facts.

I'll take Jrue, White and KP over the Mavs next 3.

Luka is a class better than Tatum/Brown.

They averaged less points in the conference finals combined than Tatum and Brown.

This idea that Luka is Bird and Tatum is Rick Fox is wild.

It's a wash.

https://stathead.com/tiny/BM61k

[The Corey's]

Luka is a class better than Tatum/Brown.

They averaged less points in the conference finals combined than Tatum and Brown.

This idea that Luka is Bird and Tatum is Rick Fox is wild.

It's a wash.

https://stathead.com/tiny/BM61k

Exactly. A wash. Tatum probably avg 35 points if he didn't have to shell the ball out so much.

Anyway. What does that have to do with Tatum and Brown outscoring Luka and Irving?

[BeiBeau]

Boston has the all defensive players. But there is a reason Dallas has been the best defensive team in the NBA since March.

Dallas completely eliminated the paint against OKC, and largely did the same thing against Minnesota.

The questions are:

1. Can Bostons 5 out open the paint better then OKCs 5 out did?

2. Can Tatum/Brown be effective enough in the mid range to out score the onslaught of Luka and Kyrie?

[Bob8]

They averaged less points in the conference finals combined than Tatum and Brown.

This idea that Luka is Bird and Tatum is Rick Fox is wild.

It's a wash.

https://stathead.com/tiny/BM61k

Exactly. A wash. Tatum probably avg 35 points if he didn't have to shell the ball out so much.

Anyway. What does that have to do with Tatum and Brown outscoring Luka and Irving?

Who's talking about Kyrie? Look at Q1 of game 5 against Minnesota and tell me that Tatum/Brown are capable of that. Luka had some health problems in the start of the playoffs, but he's looking like MVP Luka at this moment. If he plays like that, you can stop him only by doubling and blitzing him, and then you have Kyrie and role players problems.

[The Corey's]

https://stathead.com/tiny/BM61k

Exactly. A wash. Tatum probably avg 35 points if he didn't have to shell the ball out so much.

Anyway. What does that have to do with Tatum and Brown outscoring Luka and Irving?

Who's talking about Kyrie? Look at Q1 of game 5 against Minnesota and tell me that Tatum/Brown are capable of that. Luka had some health problems in the start of the playoffs, but he's looking like MVP Luka at this moment. If he plays like that, you can stop him only by doubling and blitzing him, and then you have Kyrie and role players problems.

Are you expecting for Luka to carry the Mavs to a title? Lol

Delusional

It hurts my brain that some of you are dismissing Tatum ability. You don't think Tatum has ever scored 20 points in the first quarter and 36 TOTAL for a playoff game?

Lolol.

[Swish1906]

Categorically false. The Mavs have no one who's going to stop the Celtics from scoring.

Mavs are one bull foul from playing game 7 in OKC. The Celtics are light-years better than OKC.

That logic doesn't always apply. Just speaking from Boston's experience, look at 2008. The way they struggled against the East would lead you to believe Kobe's Lakers would dominate. Light-years, idk. I'd expect OKC to run through Boston's postseason competition in similar fashion.

For sure.

Id also expect for the Celtics to run through the West too.

Everyone is dissing on them and their path but don't really acknowledge that the Celtics pace against the West had them on course for the same record they ended up with anyway.

I don't think it's a hot take to say the Celtics would of beat the suns, OKC and wolves or that because the Mavs did it and the Celtics didn't that the Celtics are unequipped and unprepared for the finals like others have suggested.

Luka is gonna get his. Irving will maybe sometimes get his. Tatum and Brown will cancel that out. Expecting for them to fall off from their pace and not Luka and Irving screams a bias to me that doesn't ring true with the facts.

I'll take Jrue, White and KP over the Mavs next 3.

I find it interesting that you expect a near 100% KP popping up on the court after missing 5+ weeks. Guess KP wasn’t long enough on your team yet. I take everyone of the Mavs next 3 over KP in his current injury/questionable status

[The Corey's]

That logic doesn't always apply. Just speaking from Boston's experience, look at 2008. The way they struggled against the East would lead you to believe Kobe's Lakers would dominate. Light-years, idk. I'd expect OKC to run through Boston's postseason competition in similar fashion.

For sure.

Id also expect for the Celtics to run through the West too.

Everyone is dissing on them and their path but don't really acknowledge that the Celtics pace against the West had them on course for the same record they ended up with anyway.

I don't think it's a hot take to say the Celtics would of beat the suns, OKC and wolves or that because the Mavs did it and the Celtics didn't that the Celtics are unequipped and unprepared for the finals like others have suggested.

Luka is gonna get his. Irving will maybe sometimes get his. Tatum and Brown will cancel that out. Expecting for them to fall off from their pace and not Luka and Irving screams a bias to me that doesn't ring true with the facts.

I'll take Jrue, White and KP over the Mavs next 3.

I find it interesting that you expect a near 100% KP popping up on the court after missing 5+ weeks. Guess KP wasn’t long enough on your team yet. I take everyone of the Mavs next 3 over KP in his current injury/questionable status

You might find this interesting too. Celtics don't need KP to beat the Mavs.

Celtics in 5

[Handlez]

For sure.

Id also expect for the Celtics to run through the West too.

Everyone is dissing on them and their path but don't really acknowledge that the Celtics pace against the West had them on course for the same record they ended up with anyway.

I don't think it's a hot take to say the Celtics would of beat the suns, OKC and wolves or that because the Mavs did it and the Celtics didn't that the Celtics are unequipped and unprepared for the finals like others have suggested.

Luka is gonna get his. Irving will maybe sometimes get his. Tatum and Brown will cancel that out. Expecting for them to fall off from their pace and not Luka and Irving screams a bias to me that doesn't ring true with the facts.

I'll take Jrue, White and KP over the Mavs next 3.

Luka is a class better than Tatum/Brown.

They averaged less points in the conference finals combined than Tatum and Brown.

This idea that Luka is Bird and Tatum is Rick Fox is wild.

It's a wash.

If both players had the same help, Luka wins far more often.

The only reason there's a chance for a "wash" is because Boston is the most loaded team in the NBA.

Regardless of what happens between these teams, Luka is better.

[Bob8]

Exactly. A wash. Tatum probably avg 35 points if he didn't have to shell the ball out so much.

Anyway. What does that have to do with Tatum and Brown outscoring Luka and Irving?

Who's talking about Kyrie? Look at Q1 of game 5 against Minnesota and tell me that Tatum/Brown are capable of that. Luka had some health problems in the start of the playoffs, but he's looking like MVP Luka at this moment. If he plays like that, you can stop him only by doubling and blitzing him, and then you have Kyrie and role players problems.

Are you expecting for Luka to carry the Mavs to a title? Lol

Delusional

It hurts my brain that some of you are dismissing Tatum ability. You don't think Tatum has ever scored 20 points in the first quarter and 36 TOTAL for a playoff game?

Lolol.

You didn't see how Mavs play in playoffs? Luka is the system.

OKC decided to guard only Luka and Kyrie so role players had great games. Minnesota went other way and were defeated by Luka and Kyrie. Nobody could solve that problem.

Luka scored "only" 36 because they doubled and blitzed him after Q1, consequently Mavs scored 120+.

Luka is far the most doubled and blitzed player in the league for the reason. Problem is that he's big guard, who can pass out of it easily and having Kyrie in that case is a luxury.

[Bob8]

For sure.

Id also expect for the Celtics to run through the West too.

Everyone is dissing on them and their path but don't really acknowledge that the Celtics pace against the West had them on course for the same record they ended up with anyway.

I don't think it's a hot take to say the Celtics would of beat the suns, OKC and wolves or that because the Mavs did it and the Celtics didn't that the Celtics are unequipped and unprepared for the finals like others have suggested.

Luka is gonna get his. Irving will maybe sometimes get his. Tatum and Brown will cancel that out. Expecting for them to fall off from their pace and not Luka and Irving screams a bias to me that doesn't ring true with the facts.

I'll take Jrue, White and KP over the Mavs next 3.

I find it interesting that you expect a near 100% KP popping up on the court after missing 5+ weeks. Guess KP wasn’t long enough on your team yet. I take everyone of the Mavs next 3 over KP in his current injury/questionable status

You might find this interesting too. Celtics don't need KP to beat the Mavs.

Celtics in 5

You understand that you look insecure by repeating Celtics in 5?

[The Corey's]

Luka is a class better than Tatum/Brown.

They averaged less points in the conference finals combined than Tatum and Brown.

This idea that Luka is Bird and Tatum is Rick Fox is wild.

It's a wash.

If both players had the same help, Luka wins far more often.

The only reason there's a chance for a "wash" is because Boston is the most loaded team in the NBA.

Regardless of what happens between these teams, Luka is better.

If you're interested in solo sports I hear tennis and golf is on hear round.

Last I checked basketball ain't that.

[Celts17Pride]

Boston has the all defensive players. But there is a reason Dallas has been the best defensive team in the NBA since March.

Dallas completely eliminated the paint against OKC, and largely did the same thing against Minnesota.

The questions are:

1. Can Bostons 5 out open the paint better then OKCs 5 out did?

2. Can Tatum/Brown be effective enough in the mid range to out score the onslaught of Luka and Kyrie?

You do realize the Celtics are the #1 three point shooting team in the NBA

[The Corey's]

Who's talking about Kyrie? Look at Q1 of game 5 against Minnesota and tell me that Tatum/Brown are capable of that. Luka had some health problems in the start of the playoffs, but he's looking like MVP Luka at this moment. If he plays like that, you can stop him only by doubling and blitzing him, and then you have Kyrie and role players problems.

Are you expecting for Luka to carry the Mavs to a title? Lol

Delusional

It hurts my brain that some of you are dismissing Tatum ability. You don't think Tatum has ever scored 20 points in the first quarter and 36 TOTAL for a playoff game?

Lolol.

You didn't see how Mavs play in playoffs? Luka is the system.

OKC decided to guard only Luka and Kyrie so role players had great games. Minnesota went other way and were defeated by Luka and Kyrie. Nobody could solve that problem.

Luka scored "only" 36 because they doubled and blitzed him after Q1, consequently Mavs scored 120+.

Luka is far the most doubled and blitzed player in the league for the reason. Problem is that he's big guard, who can pass out of it easily and having Kyrie in that case is a luxury.

Right. Celtics in 5 though. Not particularly concerned on this debate y'all are having on who the better player is.

[The Corey's]

I find it interesting that you expect a near 100% KP popping up on the court after missing 5+ weeks. Guess KP wasn’t long enough on your team yet. I take everyone of the Mavs next 3 over KP in his current injury/questionable status

You might find this interesting too. Celtics don't need KP to beat the Mavs.

Celtics in 5

You understand that you look insecure by repeating Celtics in 5?

It's not insecurity. It's my prediction. Stand by your take my friend, I am.

Nothing you're saying about Luka is going to change my mind on who's winning this series.

[Bob8]

Are you expecting for Luka to carry the Mavs to a title? Lol

Delusional

It hurts my brain that some of you are dismissing Tatum ability. You don't think Tatum has ever scored 20 points in the first quarter and 36 TOTAL for a playoff game?

Lolol.

You didn't see how Mavs play in playoffs? Luka is the system.

OKC decided to guard only Luka and Kyrie so role players had great games. Minnesota went other way and were defeated by Luka and Kyrie. Nobody could solve that problem.

Luka scored "only" 36 because they doubled and blitzed him after Q1, consequently Mavs scored 120+.

Luka is far the most doubled and blitzed player in the league for the reason. Problem is that he's big guard, who can pass out of it easily and having Kyrie in that case is a luxury.

Right. Celtics in 5 though. Not particularly concerned on this debate y'all are having on who the better player is.

You're not interested in how Mavs beat 1st, 3rd and 4th team in the West, who were much better than teams Celtics played against, without home court advantage. You should be.