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

[Statlanta]

I don't think Porzingis will be missed offensively. Hell in the first round Caleb Martin was pushing him off his spots inside the 3pt line before he got injured. It's stopping the lobs with his length that Gobert didn't do where the unicorn will be missed. More pertinent is that he actually played with Doncic so maybe he is synchronized with his tendencies more than his teammates.

[zimpy27]

I'm expecting a lot of Celtics fans will bemoan their team for missing "open' threes this series.

Lively and Kleber probably hold down the C spot and both switch well for bigs. Yeah Celtics will take a lot of 3s but there will be pressure to make them because it's the finals and the Mavs will be scoring 100+ each game.

I really think this series is a coin flip. A good time to bet on the Mavs since their odds are lower than they should be.

[itrsteve]

I really don't get it, after all this is Jennifer Aniston not giving Luka a shot yet or is she waiting for the contract extension next summer?

[JustBuzzin]

I really don't get it, after all this is Jennifer Aniston not giving Luka a shot yet or is she waiting for the contract extension next summer?

Is she cool with Luka being a baby daddy?

[Mr_Mojo_Risin]

I just listened to First Take scream 40 minutes about a Caitlin Clark cheap shot. As if it was the most criminal thing ever done in sports.

Why was this same energy not brought to Draymond Green and why was he rewarded with commercials and calling playoff games for TNT?


This has nothing to do with the game, but I had to vent after seeing that nonsense.

I think you need to accept your part of the blame here...after all, you did CHOOSE to listen to First Take right? What did you expect?

[Jaqua92]

I'm expecting a lot of Celtics fans will bemoan their team for missing "open' threes this series.

Lively and Kleber probably hold down the C spot and both switch well for bigs. Yeah Celtics will take a lot of 3s but there will be pressure to make them because it's the finals and the Mavs will be scoring 100+ each game.

I really think this series is a coin flip. A good time to bet on the Mavs since their odds are lower than they should be.

I don't know if it's reasonable to assuming the Mavs will score 100+ each game.

But it's reasonable to assume the Celtics will score 110+ each game. This is the best offense in the NBA.

[zimpy27]

I'm expecting a lot of Celtics fans will bemoan their team for missing "open' threes this series.

Lively and Kleber probably hold down the C spot and both switch well for bigs. Yeah Celtics will take a lot of 3s but there will be pressure to make them because it's the finals and the Mavs will be scoring 100+ each game.

I really think this series is a coin flip. A good time to bet on the Mavs since their odds are lower than they should be.

I don't know if it's reasonable to assuming the Mavs will score 100+ each game.

But it's reasonable to assume the Celtics will score 110+ each game. This is the best offense in the NBA.

Mavs just scored 111.6 ppg on the most dominant defense in the league last series..

[Mr_Mojo_Risin]

Not to interject in this love affair, but I just want to say that I've had a lot of both Whataburger and In N Out, and think they are equally good. In N Out eeks out the win in my book because of the animal fries.

I live in Michigan and we have Five Guys and Culver's here. I prefer Five Guys but it's too expensive for what you get. Cheese curds and concrete mixers at Culver's are awesome.

Yeah we have 5 Guys here and it's really good but expensive as you said. Honestly fast food everywhere is crazy expensive nowadays imo.

I don't know how you can feed yourself in those fast food chains, I hope you don't do it too often, for your health, I'm a nutritionist and I can assure you that that **** will shorten and lower the quality of your lives...take care and forgive me...but I have a crusade against junk food and sugar and I can't help it.

Reading most this thread doesn't make me want to lengthen my life though

Funnily enough it has improved with the food talk.

[Mr_Mojo_Risin]

I'm expecting a lot of Celtics fans will bemoan their team for missing "open' threes this series.

Lively and Kleber probably hold down the C spot and both switch well for bigs. Yeah Celtics will take a lot of 3s but there will be pressure to make them because it's the finals and the Mavs will be scoring 100+ each game.

I really think this series is a coin flip. A good time to bet on the Mavs since their odds are lower than they should be.

I don't know if it's reasonable to assuming the Mavs will score 100+ each game.

But it's reasonable to assume the Celtics will score 110+ each game. This is the best offense in the NBA.

Mavs just scored 111.6 ppg on the most dominant defense in the league last series..

There is a lot of big talk in here for sure. Mavs need to be respected.

When it comes to these playoffs (and many other prior ones), matchups over many RS stats matter. I think Boston is better setup to defend Mavs than Wolves were, but I guess we'll find out if the games ever start.

[BeiBeau]

I'm expecting a lot of Celtics fans will bemoan their team for missing "open' threes this series.

Lively and Kleber probably hold down the C spot and both switch well for bigs. Yeah Celtics will take a lot of 3s but there will be pressure to make them because it's the finals and the Mavs will be scoring 100+ each game.

I really think this series is a coin flip. A good time to bet on the Mavs since their odds are lower than they should be.

I don't know if it's reasonable to assuming the Mavs will score 100+ each game.

But it's reasonable to assume the Celtics will score 110+ each game. This is the best offense in the NBA.

Mavs just scored 111.6 ppg on the most dominant defense in the league last series..

Luka is going to Luka. Switch, drop, or blitz he’s going to exploit any strategy. Dallas’s offense is not an unstoppable force but Luka is. And Boston's defense is great but they’re not at immovable object level.

This series is all about Dallas’s rotations. They’ve got to keep lively and Gafford in the paint at help the helper so Porzingis isn’t getting wide open looks.

I think we will see healthy dose of Kleber but the PJ 4, Kleber 5 lineup should still be used sparingly. Dallas’s defense is built inside out and boston’s offense is build outside in. They’re stylistically very different.

[DaGawd]

this break in the schedule is so ass… nba should’ve reserved the right to flex it or something

[zimpy27]

I don't know if it's reasonable to assuming the Mavs will score 100+ each game.

But it's reasonable to assume the Celtics will score 110+ each game. This is the best offense in the NBA.

Mavs just scored 111.6 ppg on the most dominant defense in the league last series..

Luka is going to Luka. Switch, drop, or blitz he’s going to exploit any strategy. Dallas’s offense is not an unstoppable force but Luka is. And Boston's defense is great but they’re not at immovable object level.

This series is all about Dallas’s rotations. They’ve got to keep lively and Gafford in the paint at help the helper so Porzingis isn’t getting wide open looks.

I think we will see healthy dose of Kleber but the PJ 4, Kleber 5 lineup should still be used sparingly. Dallas’s defense is built inside out and boston’s offense is build outside in. They’re stylistically very different.

I think Gafford being used will depend on how well he does on switching. It's possible to play him off the floor whereas Lively or Kleber won't be played off the floor because of switches.

PG: Kyrie (41) | Doncic (7)
SG: Doncic (34) | THJ (14)
SF: DJJ (24) | Green (24)
PF: PJ (38) | DJJ (10)
C : Lively (24) | Kleber (24)

Mavs don't have to play Gafford at all as you can see above. They could play Exum or THJ or Hardy over Gafford.

[BeiBeau]

this break in the schedule is so ass… nba should’ve reserved the right to flex it or something

On the flip side. We should be getting these teams a full strength. KP mending, Luka gets a long stretch of rest for his knee. Lively will be 100% and Kleber gets more rest for his shoulder.

[Lefty20]

this break in the schedule is so ass… nba should’ve reserved the right to flex it or something

While I agree that this long wait sucks, I do like the fact that it will allow both teams to come in relatively healthy.

[BeiBeau]

Mavs just scored 111.6 ppg on the most dominant defense in the league last series..

Luka is going to Luka. Switch, drop, or blitz he’s going to exploit any strategy. Dallas’s offense is not an unstoppable force but Luka is. And Boston's defense is great but they’re not at immovable object level.

This series is all about Dallas’s rotations. They’ve got to keep lively and Gafford in the paint at help the helper so Porzingis isn’t getting wide open looks.

I think we will see healthy dose of Kleber but the PJ 4, Kleber 5 lineup should still be used sparingly. Dallas’s defense is built inside out and boston’s offense is build outside in. They’re stylistically very different.

I think Gafford being used will depend on how well he does on switching. It's possible to play him off the floor whereas Lively or Kleber won't be played off the floor because of switches.

PG: Kyrie (41) | Doncic (7)
SG: Doncic (34) | THJ (14)
SF: DJJ (24) | Green (24)
PF: PJ (38) | DJJ (10)
C : Lively (24) | Kleber (24)

Mavs don't have to play Gafford at all as you can see above. They could play Exum or THJ or Hardy over Gafford.

Gafford might get played off some. Although he moves his feet rather well so I don’t truly see it happening. I really don’t see a world where Gafford gets dropped to below 12 minutes per game. The Gafford/lively combo is honestly Dallas’s identity at this point. They combine for 18 points 13 rebounds and 3 blocks, but more importantly 48 unyielding minutes of elite rim protection. And Kidd loves to keep them fresh and active. He switches them out every 4-6 minutes or so.

Offensively their rim pressure is just no something maxi can replicate, and he is no where in the stratosphere in terms of rim protection.

If Dallas ends up having to go heavy maxi over Gafford then I think Boston is dictating the series and Dallas is likely to lose.

Also Hardy has pretty much taken all of THJs minutes. Besides game 2 against OKC Hardy has been the best shooter, passer, defender, plus Hardy is really just a walking bucket. When the play breaks down Hardy’s played pretty well.

Ultimately,

Luka (40) | Kyrie (8)
Kyrie (32) | Hardy (12) | Exum/Green/THJ (4)
DJJ (32) | Green (16)
PJ (38) | Maxi (10)
Gafford(18) | Lively (26) | Maxi (4)

[hardenASG13]

Luka is going to Luka. Switch, drop, or blitz he’s going to exploit any strategy. Dallas’s offense is not an unstoppable force but Luka is. And Boston's defense is great but they’re not at immovable object level.

This series is all about Dallas’s rotations. They’ve got to keep lively and Gafford in the paint at help the helper so Porzingis isn’t getting wide open looks.

I think we will see healthy dose of Kleber but the PJ 4, Kleber 5 lineup should still be used sparingly. Dallas’s defense is built inside out and boston’s offense is build outside in. They’re stylistically very different.

I think Gafford being used will depend on how well he does on switching. It's possible to play him off the floor whereas Lively or Kleber won't be played off the floor because of switches.

PG: Kyrie (41) | Doncic (7)
SG: Doncic (34) | THJ (14)
SF: DJJ (24) | Green (24)
PF: PJ (38) | DJJ (10)
C : Lively (24) | Kleber (24)

Mavs don't have to play Gafford at all as you can see above. They could play Exum or THJ or Hardy over Gafford.

Gafford might get played off some. Although he moves his feet rather well so I don’t truly see it happening. I really don’t see a world where Gafford gets dropped to below 12 minutes per game. The Gafford/lively combo is honestly Dallas’s identity at this point. They combine for 18 points 13 rebounds and 3 blocks, but more importantly 48 unyielding minutes of elite rim protection. And Kidd loves to keep them fresh and active. He switches them out every 4-6 minutes or so.

Offensively their rim pressure is just no something maxi can replicate, and he is no where in the stratosphere in terms of rim protection.

If Dallas ends up having to go heavy maxi over Gafford then I think Boston is dictating the series and Dallas is likely to lose.

Also Hardy has pretty much taken all of THJs minutes. Besides game 2 against OKC Hardy has been the best shooter, passer, defender, plus Hardy is really just a walking bucket. When the play breaks down Hardy’s played pretty well.

Ultimately,

Luka (40) | Kyrie (8)
Kyrie (32) | Hardy (12) | Exum/Green/THJ (4)
DJJ (32) | Green (16)
PJ (38) | Maxi (10)
Gafford(18) | Lively (26) | Maxi (4)

Yeah I don't see any chance Dallas stops the Gafford/Lively always fresh center rotation. They've been the best rim protectors in the playoffs, and their presence as lob threats are key to Dallas' offense as well. That's a weird take.

[zimpy27]

Are the Pacers and Mavs similar? I'm kind of expecting the Mavs are similar to the Pacers with better closers.

Is that too simplistic?

[BeiBeau]

I think Gafford being used will depend on how well he does on switching. It's possible to play him off the floor whereas Lively or Kleber won't be played off the floor because of switches.

PG: Kyrie (41) | Doncic (7)
SG: Doncic (34) | THJ (14)
SF: DJJ (24) | Green (24)
PF: PJ (38) | DJJ (10)
C : Lively (24) | Kleber (24)

Mavs don't have to play Gafford at all as you can see above. They could play Exum or THJ or Hardy over Gafford.

Gafford might get played off some. Although he moves his feet rather well so I don’t truly see it happening. I really don’t see a world where Gafford gets dropped to below 12 minutes per game. The Gafford/lively combo is honestly Dallas’s identity at this point. They combine for 18 points 13 rebounds and 3 blocks, but more importantly 48 unyielding minutes of elite rim protection. And Kidd loves to keep them fresh and active. He switches them out every 4-6 minutes or so.

Offensively their rim pressure is just no something maxi can replicate, and he is no where in the stratosphere in terms of rim protection.

If Dallas ends up having to go heavy maxi over Gafford then I think Boston is dictating the series and Dallas is likely to lose.

Also Hardy has pretty much taken all of THJs minutes. Besides game 2 against OKC Hardy has been the best shooter, passer, defender, plus Hardy is really just a walking bucket. When the play breaks down Hardy’s played pretty well.

Ultimately,

Luka (40) | Kyrie (8)
Kyrie (32) | Hardy (12) | Exum/Green/THJ (4)
DJJ (32) | Green (16)
PJ (38) | Maxi (10)
Gafford(18) | Lively (26) | Maxi (4)

Yeah I don't any chance Dallas stops the Gafford/Lively always fresh center rotation. They've been the best rim protectors in the playoffs, and their presence as lob treats are key to Dallas' offense as well. That's a weird take.

Zimpy isn’t wrong the the 5 out is the looming threat for Dallas’s defense. I legitimately think Dallas has been the best coached defense in the NBA these playoffs but that won’t mean **** if they can’t slow down the hailing 3s Boston is going to send our way.

He’s also not wrong that Kleber gives Dallas gives Dallas the best combo of size and perimeter protection.

But at the same time people look at Dallas and see perhaps “the greatest back court of all time” and think that’s their identity. But I really think it’s that Gafford and Lively megazoid transform from individually top 15 centers in the league in to combining for top 5 center level production.

[zimpy27]

I think Gafford being used will depend on how well he does on switching. It's possible to play him off the floor whereas Lively or Kleber won't be played off the floor because of switches.

PG: Kyrie (41) | Doncic (7)
SG: Doncic (34) | THJ (14)
SF: DJJ (24) | Green (24)
PF: PJ (38) | DJJ (10)
C : Lively (24) | Kleber (24)

Mavs don't have to play Gafford at all as you can see above. They could play Exum or THJ or Hardy over Gafford.

Gafford might get played off some. Although he moves his feet rather well so I don’t truly see it happening. I really don’t see a world where Gafford gets dropped to below 12 minutes per game. The Gafford/lively combo is honestly Dallas’s identity at this point. They combine for 18 points 13 rebounds and 3 blocks, but more importantly 48 unyielding minutes of elite rim protection. And Kidd loves to keep them fresh and active. He switches them out every 4-6 minutes or so.

Offensively their rim pressure is just no something maxi can replicate, and he is no where in the stratosphere in terms of rim protection.

If Dallas ends up having to go heavy maxi over Gafford then I think Boston is dictating the series and Dallas is likely to lose.

Also Hardy has pretty much taken all of THJs minutes. Besides game 2 against OKC Hardy has been the best shooter, passer, defender, plus Hardy is really just a walking bucket. When the play breaks down Hardy’s played pretty well.

Ultimately,

Luka (40) | Kyrie (8)
Kyrie (32) | Hardy (12) | Exum/Green/THJ (4)
DJJ (32) | Green (16)
PJ (38) | Maxi (10)
Gafford(18) | Lively (26) | Maxi (4)

Yeah I don't any chance Dallas stops the Gafford/Lively always fresh center rotation. They've been the best rim protectors in the playoffs, and their presence as lob treats are key to Dallas' offense as well. That's a weird take.

Boston have stretch Cs and like to switch off their bigs for pick and pop action or to open lane for drives. I think Kleber is going to see more court than Gafford because of this. Lively should be present as much if not more than other series this playoffs.

Rim protection is important but not everything and Lively/Kleber bring enough there.

[hardenASG13]

Are the Pacers and Mavs similar? I'm kind of expecting the Mavs are similar to the Pacers with better closers.

Is that too simplistic?

The mavs are much better defensively, don't play fast like the Pacers, and have elite rim protection and lob threats. Luka and Kyrie are much better in the half court than anyone on the Pacers. They are way better and play very differently than Indiana.