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

[Yinwest]

Chill out, my fellow Celtic fans lol

[Swish77]

And that is all that matters to Luka and his fans.

Boston doesnt care about personal stats, everyone is working together for a championship. Competing on both ends, letting anyone who is cooking, cook.

Dallas plays around luka. Luka wants all the shots, Luka wants all the assists, Luka wants all the recognition. Luka doesnt want to play defense.

So its pretty clear. That players who play like Luka wins chips. Wilt? Kobe? LBJ? Joker? MJ? I can go on and on and on. Its what superstars do. IF you think he doesnt play defense you will be really surprised when the games start. Look up the stats on his defense in the playoffs.

I dont need to,. He has been hidden the entire time.

Incorrect. Clips, OKC, Twolves all tried to attack him on defense and it didn't work.

[Larry_Russell]

So its pretty clear. That players who play like Luka wins chips. Wilt? Kobe? LBJ? Joker? MJ? I can go on and on and on. Its what superstars do. IF you think he doesnt play defense you will be really surprised when the games start. Look up the stats on his defense in the playoffs.

I dont need to,. He has been hidden the entire time.

Incorrect. Clips, OKC, Twolves all tried to attack him on defense and it didn't work.

LOL

Lou Dort, Broken Kawhi Old Fat HArden and Jaden McDaniels could score on Doncic? Wow he must be AMAZING!


That 110 defensive rating while getting to hide!!! Amazing!!!

Lets see him defend a possession for more than 5 seconds 3 times a game

[dygaction]

I dont need to,. He has been hidden the entire time.

Incorrect. Clips, OKC, Twolves all tried to attack him on defense and it didn't work.

LOL

Lou Dort, Broken Kawhi Old Fat HArden and Jaden McDaniels could score on Doncic? Wow he must be AMAZING!


That 110 defensive rating while getting to hide!!! Amazing!!!

Lets see him defend a possession for more than 5 seconds 3 times a game

Cannot blame the Mavs as those three teams could not hunt him for more than 5 secs 3 times a game, just like cannot blame the Celtics when the East could not find a single healthy team let alone winning 50 games on their trip to the finals.

[Larry_Russell]

Incorrect. Clips, OKC, Twolves all tried to attack him on defense and it didn't work.

LOL

Lou Dort, Broken Kawhi Old Fat HArden and Jaden McDaniels could score on Doncic? Wow he must be AMAZING!


That 110 defensive rating while getting to hide!!! Amazing!!!

Lets see him defend a possession for more than 5 seconds 3 times a game

Cannot blame the Mavs as those three teams could not hunt him for more than 5 secs 3 times a game, just like cannot blame the Celtics when the East could not find a single healthy team let alone winning 50 games on their trip to the finals.

By your theory,

Payton Pritchard is gonna cook you guys because against Cleveland, Pritchard was 11ppg/2.5rpg, 2apg, on 52.6%, 50% and 100% shooting splits.

Look out, Pritchard is easily the most dangerous shooter in the nba, and the best backup PG in the playoffs.

[XTC]

LOL

Lou Dort, Broken Kawhi Old Fat HArden and Jaden McDaniels could score on Doncic? Wow he must be AMAZING!


That 110 defensive rating while getting to hide!!! Amazing!!!

Lets see him defend a possession for more than 5 seconds 3 times a game

Cannot blame the Mavs as those three teams could not hunt him for more than 5 secs 3 times a game, just like cannot blame the Celtics when the East could not find a single healthy team let alone winning 50 games on their trip to the finals.

By your theory,

Payton Pritchard is gonna cook you guys because against Cleveland, Pritchard was 11ppg/2.5rpg, 2apg, on 52.6%, 50% and 100% shooting splits.

Look out, Pritchard is easily the most dangerous shooter in the nba, and the best backup PG in the playoffs.

I know what you're trying to say, but Pritchard IMO is one of the best back up point guards in the NBA.

Him shooting 50% from 3 over a 4 game sample (Vs Indiana), wouldn't surprise anyone. He's a really good shooter, and IMO one of the more underrated players in the NBA.

His spacing and gravity is definitely going to be a big factor for the Celtics.

[ITYSL]

Even since mid March the Celtics gave been way better than the Mavs.

What have Dallas done that that Celtics haven't already done better?

One of the main arguments for Dallas is that they have beaten harder competition in the playoffs. Meanwhile, even though the Celtics have only lost 2 games these playoffs, they did lose one game each to teams missing their star player, and had closer-than-expected wins against several playoff opponents without their star players. Those two circumstances could lead one to reasonably think that the Mavs will be a serious challenge for the Celtics.

The Celtics ARE the hard competition.

I don't think we are disagreeing. I'm literally just answering your question as to why people might be bullish on the Mavs, and there are decent reasons for that.

[Larry_Russell]

Cannot blame the Mavs as those three teams could not hunt him for more than 5 secs 3 times a game, just like cannot blame the Celtics when the East could not find a single healthy team let alone winning 50 games on their trip to the finals.

By your theory,

Payton Pritchard is gonna cook you guys because against Cleveland, Pritchard was 11ppg/2.5rpg, 2apg, on 52.6%, 50% and 100% shooting splits.

Look out, Pritchard is easily the most dangerous shooter in the nba, and the best backup PG in the playoffs.

I know what you're trying to say, but Pritchard IMO is one of the best back up point guards in the NBA.

Him shooting 50% from 3 over a 4 game sample (Vs Indiana), wouldn't surprise anyone. He's a really good shooter, and IMO one of the more underrated players in the NBA.

His spacing and gravity is definitely going to be a big factor for the Celtics.

He is really good, been great for the team, But no one is going to annoint him as anything. He is what he is as a by-product of the gravity that everyone else on the team creates.

[jpengland]

If we do pull out the win, the taste of Celtic tears will be nearly as sweet as actually winning the damn title.

[Bob8]

KP averages near the same amount of block as Gafford and is top 10 in the league....Along with that, it's a well established fact that KP is one of the very best at deterring shots over the past few years. You're being delusional.

Also Boston isn't an elite shooting team? They took and made the most 3s in the league this year and #2 in percentage (while taking 8 more 3's a game vs #1). They are literally the best 3 point shooting team in the league. Again you're just being delusional brother.

Holiday: 42.9%
White: 39.6%
Porzingis: 37.5%
Tatum: 37.6%
Brown: 35.4%
Horford: 41.9%
Hauser: 42.4%
Pritchard: 38.5%

You're forgetting that Mavs played against Chet, who is for sure better than KP.

There is not a single elite shooter there. Celtics might be the best shooting team in the league, but they averaged only 1.9 3s more than Mavs in RS, Mavs were 3rd in 3s made, shooting 38.8% for 3, Mavs 36.9%. And they averaged 2 3s more in playoffs, shooting 36.8%, Mavs 37.2%.

Do you really believe that's the difference on which you should build your enormous confidence?

Regular season

Boston 42.5 threes per game - 39%
Dallasr 39.5 - 37% - 37.6 threes attempted post trade @ 36%


If we want to talk only playoffs.

Then Celtics take 40 threes per game to Dallas' 34
Boston makes 37% to Dallas' 37%

Boston has been without KP who averages 5 3s per game on 38% and replaced him with Al Horford who in the playoffs was 5.5 at 34% and Tatum shooting sub 30% (which will not continue)

And regarding Chet versus KP

Chet
16.5ppg, 7.9rpg, 2.4apg, 0.6spg, 2.3bpg, 37% on 4.3-3pta
KP
20ppg, 7.2rpg, 2apg, 0.7spg, 2bpg, 37.5% on 5.1-3pta also posting insane post up numbers and elite defensive rim protection numbers.

It is not clear cut that Chet is better than KP, when KP put up better numbers.

I said Chet is better rim protector.

I'm not saying that Celtics are not better 3-pts shooting team, I'm saying that difference is not that big, that only 3-pts shooting could deside the series.

[itrsteve]

Mavs will be the first team Boston faces who's completely healthy. Good luck.

Remember this, so when Boston smokes this team Dallas fans cant cry "Luka was hurt" wah wah wah

If your really think you will smoke us. You need to be drug tested. No chance you smoke us.

As a Boston fan, I don't believe either side is getting smoked. This is in fact the finals and there's a lot of strange hot takes in this thread.

[Larry_Russell]

You're forgetting that Mavs played against Chet, who is for sure better than KP.

There is not a single elite shooter there. Celtics might be the best shooting team in the league, but they averaged only 1.9 3s more than Mavs in RS, Mavs were 3rd in 3s made, shooting 38.8% for 3, Mavs 36.9%. And they averaged 2 3s more in playoffs, shooting 36.8%, Mavs 37.2%.

Do you really believe that's the difference on which you should build your enormous confidence?

Regular season

Boston 42.5 threes per game - 39%
Dallasr 39.5 - 37% - 37.6 threes attempted post trade @ 36%


If we want to talk only playoffs.

Then Celtics take 40 threes per game to Dallas' 34
Boston makes 37% to Dallas' 37%

Boston has been without KP who averages 5 3s per game on 38% and replaced him with Al Horford who in the playoffs was 5.5 at 34% and Tatum shooting sub 30% (which will not continue)

And regarding Chet versus KP

Chet
16.5ppg, 7.9rpg, 2.4apg, 0.6spg, 2.3bpg, 37% on 4.3-3pta
KP
20ppg, 7.2rpg, 2apg, 0.7spg, 2bpg, 37.5% on 5.1-3pta also posting insane post up numbers and elite defensive rim protection numbers.

It is not clear cut that Chet is better than KP, when KP put up better numbers.

I said Chet is better rim protector.

I'm not saying that Celtics are not better 3-pts shooting team, I'm saying that difference is not that big, that only 3-pts shooting could deside the series.

3pt shooting
overall defense
playmaking from a team standpoint
Overall level of talent

Basically, offensively Doncic puts up better numbers than anyone on the celtics

Celtics have better offense
Celtics have better defense
Celtics have better talent overall.

[Bob8]

Remember this, so when Boston smokes this team Dallas fans cant cry "Luka was hurt" wah wah wah

If your really think you will smoke us. You need to be drug tested. No chance you smoke us.

As a Boston fan, I don't believe either side is getting smoked. This is in fact the finals and there's a lot of strange hot takes in this thread.

If you read closely, vast majority of Mavs fans are just trying to say that Mavs have a chance of winning, while majority of Celtics fans are offended by that chance. Saying that Mavs fans are delusional in believing their team can win.

[itrsteve]

If your really think you will smoke us. You need to be drug tested. No chance you smoke us.

As a Boston fan, I don't believe either side is getting smoked. This is in fact the finals and there's a lot of strange hot takes in this thread.

If you read closely, vast majority of Mavs fans are just trying to say that Mavs have a chance of winning, while majority of Celtics fans are offended by that chance. Saying that Mavs fans are delusional in believing their team can win.

If you read closely, you're pretty much conversing with 4 Boston fans that are flooding this thread. I think you'll find that most of us are level-headed and believe there's a decent matchup coming.

[ITYSL]

I said Chet is better rim protector.

I'm not saying that Celtics are not better 3-pts shooting team, I'm saying that difference is not that big, that only 3-pts shooting could deside the series.

That's not as clear cut as you're making it out to be.

- Chet had 2.3bpg vs. 1.9 for Kristaps, so Chet was better there
- KP allowed a FG% of 57.4% on shots <5 ft vs. 58.1% for Chet, so KP was better there (link)
- If you look at the 5-9ft range, KP allowed a FG% of 39.4% vs. 41.5% for Chet, so again KP was better there

Determining whether KP is an elite rim protector today based off a playoff series three years ago is silly.

[Bob8]

Regular season

Boston 42.5 threes per game - 39%
Dallasr 39.5 - 37% - 37.6 threes attempted post trade @ 36%


If we want to talk only playoffs.

Then Celtics take 40 threes per game to Dallas' 34
Boston makes 37% to Dallas' 37%

Boston has been without KP who averages 5 3s per game on 38% and replaced him with Al Horford who in the playoffs was 5.5 at 34% and Tatum shooting sub 30% (which will not continue)

And regarding Chet versus KP

Chet
16.5ppg, 7.9rpg, 2.4apg, 0.6spg, 2.3bpg, 37% on 4.3-3pta
KP
20ppg, 7.2rpg, 2apg, 0.7spg, 2bpg, 37.5% on 5.1-3pta also posting insane post up numbers and elite defensive rim protection numbers.

It is not clear cut that Chet is better than KP, when KP put up better numbers.

I said Chet is better rim protector.

I'm not saying that Celtics are not better 3-pts shooting team, I'm saying that difference is not that big, that only 3-pts shooting could deside the series.

3pt shooting
overall defense
playmaking from a team standpoint
Overall level of talent

Basically, offensively Doncic puts up better numbers than anyone on the celtics

Celtics have better offense
Celtics have better defense
Celtics have better talent overall.

Okc was theoretically better in everything and were seed #1. Shai having great series. Luka physically not optimal. All that didn't matter much in the end.

Wolves had theoretically top D in the league, especially in the paint and had the best defensive player of the league. It ended by Mavs dunking on their head all series long.

We will see about D. Perimeter D doesn't help you much, if you can't stop Luka. Mavs have better paint D.

Luka is the system, that's all playmaking Mavs need.

[Larry_Russell]

As a Boston fan, I don't believe either side is getting smoked. This is in fact the finals and there's a lot of strange hot takes in this thread.

If you read closely, vast majority of Mavs fans are just trying to say that Mavs have a chance of winning, while majority of Celtics fans are offended by that chance. Saying that Mavs fans are delusional in believing their team can win.

If you read closely, you're pretty much conversing with 4 Boston fans that are flooding this thread. I think you'll find that most of us are level-headed and believe there's a decent matchup coming.

decent as in the Bostons matchups against Miami, Cleveland, and Indiana

5 games, boston wins

[Bob8]

I said Chet is better rim protector.

I'm not saying that Celtics are not better 3-pts shooting team, I'm saying that difference is not that big, that only 3-pts shooting could deside the series.

That's not as clear cut as you're making it out to be.

- Chet had 2.3bpg vs. 1.9 for Kristaps, so Chet was better there
- KP allowed a FG% of 57.4% on shots <5 ft vs. 58.1% for Chet, so KP was better there (link)
- If you look at the 5-9ft range, KP allowed a FG% of 39.4% vs. 41.5% for Chet, so again KP was better there

Determining whether KP is an elite rim protector today based off a playoff series three years ago is silly.

I might be wrong, but I honestly don't believe KP, especially after being 6 weeks out, can protect the rim or paint better than Chet and Gobert.

[dakomish23]

We'll probably see these stats at some point in game 1 coverage if it hasn't been done already.

Luka 5 losses
25.4 PPG 11.2 RPG 9.0 APG 1.2 SPG 0.4 BPG
35.8% on 22.0 FGA
23.1% on 9.8 3PA
75.5% on 9.2 FTA

Luka 12 wins
30.2 PPG 9.0 RPG 8.8 APG 1.8 SPG 0.5 BPG
47.5% on 22.4 FGA
39.4% on 9.8 3PA
83.8% on 6.5 FTA

Kyrie 5 losses
23.2 PPG 3.6 RPG 5.0 APG 1.0 SPG 0.2 BPG
46.3% on 17.2 FGA
38.3% on 6.0 3PA
87.8% on 4.6 FTA

Kyrie 12 wins
22.7 PPG 4.0 RPG 5.3 APG 1.3 SPG 0.5 BPG
47.4% on 17.8 FGA
40.3% on 6.4 3PA
81.5% on 3.4 FTA

[Bob8]

We'll probably see these stats at some point in game 1 coverage if it hasn't been done already.

Luka 5 losses
25.4 PPG 11.2 RPG 9.0 APG 1.2 SPG 0.4 BPG
35.8% on 22.0 FGA
23.1% on 9.8 3PA
75.5% on 9.2 FTA

Luka 12 wins
30.2 PPG 9.0 RPG 8.8 APG 1.8 SPG 0.5 BPG
47.5% on 22.4 FGA
39.4% on 9.8 3PA
83.8% on 6.5 FTA

Kyrie 5 losses
23.2 PPG 3.6 RPG 5.0 APG 1.0 SPG 0.2 BPG
46.3% on 17.2 FGA
38.3% on 6.0 3PA
87.8% on 4.6 FTA

Kyrie 12 wins
22.7 PPG 4.0 RPG 5.3 APG 1.3 SPG 0.5 BPG
47.4% on 17.8 FGA
40.3% on 6.4 3PA
81.5% on 3.4 FTA

Yes Luka is essential. I will just add that Luka's stats are a bit misleading, because he had clear physical problems in the start of the playoffs. He was impressive in last 7 games, consistently Mavs losing only 1 of those 7 games.