Finals 2024 - G1 - Mavs @ Celtics (Thursd., 8:30PMEST)

[Bob8]

Luka and Kyrie will need to defend this series, PJ/DJJ/Maxi will need to defend and rotate like crazy, Mavs really need Exum in this one, Gafford will be played off the floor IMO.
If Luka and Kyrie drop to 34-36 MPG and are able Exum/Green fill the gaps it'd be great.

Luka 34/Exum 14
Kyrie 34/ Exum 10/Green 4
DJJ 34/ Green 14
PJ 34/ Maxi 14
Gafford 10/Lively 28/ Maxi 10

I would like, but don't believe this will be series for Exum. Celtics have to many good defenders on guard position and he plays the best, when he isn't under defensive pressure. Maybe if Luka forces doubles and blitzes on him, but Celtics normally plays straight.

Must try, Hardy and Green will be stripped in 2 seconds by Jrue and White, just maintain dribble, probe and pass to semi open shooter, and of course defend...

I believe the only way will be Luka doing more or less all ball handling, having 5+ TOs, but team having normal number of TOs. Ball handling from everyone else except Kyrie should be minimal.

[dirkules_41]

Insufferable bunch, I no longer open the threads, it's really pathetic...

As a Bruins fan I'm very familiar with Boston sports fans but the stuff these arrogant pricks post right now is next level. I guess most are Pats fans and they're insufferable too so...

My only familiarity is from "Cheers" TV show, Wolves fans were also arrogant, but these guys are next level...

Wolves fans were deluded enough to think they'd win, these guys act like it's a done deal

[GermanFan120]

Luka and Kyrie will need to defend this series, PJ/DJJ/Maxi will need to defend and rotate like crazy, Mavs really need Exum in this one, Gafford will be played off the floor IMO.
If Luka and Kyrie drop to 34-36 MPG and are able Exum/Green fill the gaps it'd be great.

Luka 34/Exum 14
Kyrie 34/ Exum 10/Green 4
DJJ 34/ Green 14
PJ 34/ Maxi 14
Gafford 10/Lively 28/ Maxi 10

No love for Timmy, eh?

Love Timmy! Best cheerleader of all time

Dwight Powell just left the chat.

[Mavrelous]

I would like, but don't believe this will be series for Exum. Celtics have to many good defenders on guard position and he plays the best, when he isn't under defensive pressure. Maybe if Luka forces doubles and blitzes on him, but Celtics normally plays straight.

Must try, Hardy and Green will be stripped in 2 seconds by Jrue and White, just maintain dribble, probe and pass to semi open shooter, and of course defend...

I believe the only way will be Luka doing more or less all ball handling, having 5+ TOs, but team having normal number of TOs. Ball handling from everyone else except Kyrie should be minimal.

That my main concern, 40+ minutes of high offensive load and getting hunted om defense.

[Archx]

As a Bruins fan I'm very familiar with Boston sports fans but the stuff these arrogant pricks post right now is next level. I guess most are Pats fans and they're insufferable too so...

My only familiarity is from "Cheers" TV show, Wolves fans were also arrogant, but these guys are next level...

Wolves fans were deluded enough to think they'd win, these guys act like it's a done deal

Yeah indeed. Wolves also made a reddit post basically congratulating Mavs and they said a ton of positive things. I was pleasantly surprised. But Celtics, man.... like you said, are talking like Mavs should just roll over and gift them 4 wins. I mean, sure they can win it all but don't talk like you already won 3 days before G1 was even played.

[GermanFan120]

I think our defense would have to be counted on for us to have a shot, it is not how much we have to out score the Celtics in general. And we all know if we have a small lead going into the 4th or even keeping the game close, with the best player on our side, our chance is vastly good.

Tatum and Brown are known to be chokers. Sure Brown was clutch against the Pacers, but that was because the Pacers choked even more. And on the other hand, I trust in Luka Ky and Kidd to close the games.

[Apz]

Celtics rimprotection will most likelu be horrible, so keep lively/gafford on. Pretty much guarenteed 2 points every trip down the court. Celtics shooting like 40%from 3, thats 120p/100poss, mavs basicly only need to score on avg 60% of their fg to be atleast even which shouldnt be an issue really with lobs. Not even counting the bostons stars shrinking like certain parts in cold water under pressure. I think boston will psychologically break in thos series

[joesha1698]

Ok, the way you beat the Celtics is simple:

Rule #1 : You have to keep Tatum and Brown out of your paint (where they can kick it out for 3/or et freethrows)and we cannot afford to give the Celtics wide open 3's. You have to force them to beat you over the top taking 2 point shots. There going to look for ways to switch onto Luka and especially Kyrie (because of his height) to exploit that matchup to get to the basket. Luka and Kai have shown they can play defense w/o fouling. With the right scheme and understanding - I believe they can do a good enough job of forcing them into jumpers.

Rule #2: Our defenders must stay in front of Brown and Tatum at all times and make them take tough jumpers. We cannot afford for them to live at the free throw line or set their teammates up for easy 3s. Therefore our perimeter defense must keep them in front of us at all times. I would even consider switching a smaller man on Horford and Porzingis on pick and rolls. If the Celtics want to take the ball out of Tatum and Brown Hands - and depend on Horford and Porizngis beating us - I would risk it from time to time - tell the smaller player just not to foul and do your best. I'll give up a 2 from time to time instead of letting Brown and Tatum get a rhythm , get their teammates 3s, or get to the foul line - i'll live with it.

Rule #3: We have to win the paint. Luka and Kyrie cannot settle for long jumpers. We have to attack and attack the paint the whole series. Similar to the OKC series. They have Horford and Porzingis but they aren't known as great shot blockers. We have to attack the paint every play and get our bigs involve, get high percentage shots for luka and kai - and really open up the court for the others behind the 3.

Rule #4: Whoever holds Derrick White has to treat him as a special priority. Just as special as Tatum and Brown. He is their engine. I think Kyrie will be on him most of the game and he has to really know where he is at all times. I also think Exum/Hardy are additional defenders that have to stick to him like glue.

Summary: Keep Tatum and Brown out of the paint. J-Kidd will have to scheme for that. We need excellent perimeter defense on their two best players with the goal of forcing them into long shots - and eliminating their ability to get freethrows or get kick it to their teammates for 3. We need to stay home in this series off the ball. We have to win the paint on both ends. That means Luka and Kyrie have to live in there and Lively and Gafford have to win that battle on the offense and defensive end. Lastly -we have to track White like a heat seeking missile to make sure he doesn't give them life. I would also add that we have to win the turnover battle. We cannot play sloppy vs this team - especially in the 1st two games.

[Maverick41]

If KP plays, I wouldn't mind putting Luka on him. Luka is stronger then him and has enough length to semi bother his shot. KP has a tendency to camp out in the 3 point line anyway. In the PnP, PnR, switch and rely on Luka to hold his own vs the Jays 1v1. Neither one of them are lightning quick so Luka needs to be smart and try to force them into mid rangers. I'll take that over open 3s.

Put Gafford/Lively on Holiday and give a little space to roam. If BOS wants to go to KP or Holiday to take advantage of their matchups, by all means please do so. It just means they would have KP and Holiday going 1v1 which is better then them giving the ball to the 2 Jays.

[arkuo]

It's the NBA finals. Best of the best. It's about who has the star player who will step up and take the game to another level.

[41Dirk41]

Good bet on Boston for game1, easy money.
Trust me my friends. No way Mavs can steal that game. No way.

[joesha1698]

If KP plays, I wouldn't mind putting Luka on him. Luka is stronger then him and has enough length to semi bother his shot. KP has a tendency to camp out in the 3 point line anyway. In the PnP, PnR, switch and rely on Luka to hold his own vs the Jays 1v1. Neither one of them are lightning quick so Luka needs to be smart and try to force them into mid rangers. I'll take that over open 3s.

Put Gafford/Lively on Holiday and give a little space to roam. If BOS wants to go to KP or Holiday to take advantage of their matchups, by all means please do so. It just means they would have KP and Holiday going 1v1 which is better then them giving the ball to the 2 Jays.

That's an interesting take. After watching the replays of the two games we played against Boston this year - they hit a ridiculous amount of 3s and Brown and Tatum just played bully ball. Honestly, if the Mavs want to win this series - Kidd has to show them the tape and basically tell them we have to give 100% effort at all times and be the aggressor. We have to bring the fight or we dont win this series. We have to approach this like we fight and not give an inch. In those first two games they played against us - they didn't respect us on that floor. Simple as that. We cant give them an inch. The physicality has to be there.

[Bob8]

If KP plays, I wouldn't mind putting Luka on him. Luka is stronger then him and has enough length to semi bother his shot. KP has a tendency to camp out in the 3 point line anyway. In the PnP, PnR, switch and rely on Luka to hold his own vs the Jays 1v1. Neither one of them are lightning quick so Luka needs to be smart and try to force them into mid rangers. I'll take that over open 3s.

Put Gafford/Lively on Holiday and give a little space to roam. If BOS wants to go to KP or Holiday to take advantage of their matchups, by all means please do so. It just means they would have KP and Holiday going 1v1 which is better then them giving the ball to the 2 Jays.

No. They will easily switch to Tatum/Brown every time. Even if Luka plays solid D, he would be exhausted by half. Luka will guard someone in the corner and they might try some zone D too. Mavs focus should be saving Luka in D, because his usage will be off the charts, if Mavs wants to win. It would be nice, if someone else could bring the ball over half court line, because they will pressure Luka full court. Nobody except hopefully Kyrie won't be able to create anything against Celtics. Mavs should try to play as fast as possible too, shooting before Celtics D sets.

[dirkules_41]

Good bet on Boston for game1, easy money.
Trust me my friends. No way Mavs can steal that game. No way.

https://www.paginegialle.it/ospedali.htm

Get help.

[Archx]

No matter what happens, this looks good. Add OMax to the list as well.

Read on Twitter

[daoneandonly]

No matter what happens, this looks good. Add OMax to the list as well.

Read on Twitter

Yea love the prospect of Luka-Lively for the future

[Darren]

The Mavs has to create the situation to win. On paper, Boston wins almost everything. This is a Boston team which visit the Finals very often. Boston is one of few team which create a roster with somewhat 2-wayed players in key rotation under the hard cap. But this is the same team losing to Miami. Boston loves to create mismatches and set screen for opened 3s, The Mavs has to think outside of the box and breaks those common senses. Of course, it takes major growth of players to make the case. Since Boston is rather short in rotation, the Mavs should stay aggressive to create a short-handed situation. It may be risky to play many young player. But it has to be to make the case. Within the first two games, the Mavs has to take one, or else, it's a rather short series.

[Darren]

The series reminds me with the Mavs series against the Sacremento Kings. After the game one loss, the whole locker room is sad and quiet. It seems impossible to win against Divac, C-Webb, Christine, Peja and Bibby. Here comes Nick Van Exel who reminds everyone about themselves being a good team. NVE reminds everyone about their hunger and performs on court, In a situation, who's the killer instinct to spark the team? Can this be the whole team this time. There's no more big three or big four.

In last couple of series, only PJ averages a double digit outside of Luka and Kyrie, Guess the number? Only 13. All Boston starters average double digit. If some of the Mavs get their number or some of the Boston players is being taken out of the equation. This ruins their game plan completely. With stronger body, stronger mentality, stronger clutch play, the Mavs can change the series at any point. But as of now, due to the common sense of basketball world, the Mavs is being counted out nearly entirely. Figure out what you can do that Boston can't match. Then, try it out with gut. This is the Finals. Let's the journey begins. Make no regret thereafter.

[Darren]

What you need to fight against is yourself. It's not Tatum. Not Brown. Not KP. Not Horford. Not Boston coach. It is up to you to fail. You can give in at any point. This is a choice. You can also choose differently. What you choose will determine your energy. If it is really important to you, you explore even if you can't see the whole picture. It's like climbing up mountains. When you are in the midway, you can see things through until you're reaching the top. It's not about how tiny you are. It's not about how difficult it is. It's about what you truly want. In a situation like this, you have to be the anchor for yourself and your teammates. Gut it out no matter how no matter what. At the end of the day, this will become history at some point. You can end up with bitterness or excitement. It's your collective choice as a group.

[HMFFL]

The Mavs has to create the situation to win. On paper, Boston wins almost everything. This is a Boston team which visit the Finals very often. Boston is one of few team which create a roster with somewhat 2-wayed players in key rotation under the hard cap. But this is the same team losing to Miami. Boston loves to create mismatches and set screen for opened 3s, The Mavs has to think outside of the box and breaks those common senses. Of course, it takes major growth of players to make the case. Since Boston is rather short in rotation, the Mavs should stay aggressive to create a short-handed situation. It may be risky to play many young player. But it has to be to make the case. Within the first two games, the Mavs has to take one, or else, it's a rather short series.

I have Dallas winning fairly easily. Luka is the best player onnthe court. Our frontcourt has been tested and Al Hordford's BBIQ is my only concern. It's not KP.

Kyrie's focus is locked in and Luka and him are looking like a Championship combination.