2024 NBA FINALS: #1 Boston Celtics vs #5 Dallas Mavericks (BOS leads 1-0)

[azcatz11]

Key for Boston: what happened in the 3rd? Why did they allow the Mavs to get it back down to 8 pts? They did respond nicely obviously but they must realize that when the Mavs tried to slow it down they got dragged into it and they got thrown off their rhythm. This was the point when Boston shot 3s and basically make or bust mode. They replied by getting maybe 4 straight attack to the baskets and where they got fouls and got to the line to got control back for the blowout win.

Key for Dallas: Luka Doncic has 1 ASSIST this game. Something something Boston defense funneling him to these spot? And as one poster noted (forgot who), no lob dunk/oop this game for the Mavs?

If I'm Dallas - I'm going Exum over Josh Green and giving him those 20 minutes. I'm also giving THJ more than 8 min and see if he can get hot. I think you have to shake things up and bench Josh Green + Hardy the rest of the series

[msmoore66]

Boston didn’t double Luka at all was ballsy by Mazzulla but it worked. Doncic only had 1 assists and took 26 shots to get 30. Incredible defense by the Celtics as a team

Fat Luka is gonna need Ant's oxygen mask by game 4 lol. Keep making him work on both ends.

"Fat Luka"..... be better.
Celtics certainly game planned well for him. Will be interesting to see how Luka/Mavs adjust (or not).

[jkvonny]

This is Celtics series to lose.
TWolves probably better threat (they grab rebounds, bigger and more physical team).

Those 3 drops , they win. They miss, they lose.
Live and die by the 3s. They were def livin tonite.

[AussieCeltic]

This series is far from over. It’s only 1 game. While I feel a lot better than I did before game 1, if Mavs win game 2, there’s a lot of pressure on the Celtics heading back to Dallas.

[Statlanta]

I hate that the Mavs went from clowning Gobert to being scared of Porzingis.

Simply had no gameplan for him on offense or defense

[docholliday99]

I was impressed that all 5 starters had at least 2 assists, 3 had 5 assists - just a well balanced attack. Brown's defense was ridiculous and honestly, KP bouncing around was a pleasant surprise. The Tatum hate is weird for me, he's an amazing talent, and the only one to really get doubled by Dallas. Boston as a team is incredibly poised, not fazed by the run after the half, pushed it back after Dallas wore out. That's something Boston has been doing throughout the playoffs.

Dallas will definitely come out hard next game, hopefully the jitters are done after this. Boston is so deep but all Dallas needs is what Denver had last year, the 2-3 role players that step up and help the 2 stars.

[1st banana]

He's not a difference maker in this series. If he's your key, you are toast.

It's 1 game.
Mavs will need to unlock the lob threat against this Boston D.

I do think Lively's rim protection is less crucial in this series than against OKC and Minnesota because Boston has way more outside shooting.

Not really sure what you (or Mavs fans) mean by "key". Lively has been having an excellent playoffs though. I see no merit in you laughing at him.

I"m not laughing at him. JFC. I'm laughing at Mavs fans that think he will be a difference maker in this series. He's a good player, but a rookie.

Kid had 5 fouls and 0 pts at one time, the Roy hibbert stat line

[G R E Y]

Cs impressive start.

Three more...

Impressive if we forget of the last 90 seconds of 2 qt and big part of the 3 qt

Nine day break. KP back. Responded well to Mavs run. A win is a win, but it's not like Cs won by the skin of their teeth.

Three more...

[jkvonny]

This series is far from over. It’s only 1 game. While I feel a lot better than I did before game 1, if Mavs win game 2, there’s a lot of pressure on the Celtics heading back to Dallas.

Ssssuuuurrreeee.

Yall are sweatin bullets.

[Triple M]

Only 1 game but the difference between the Celtics others and the Dallas ones seem like there was a sizeable gap. Tatum needs to be stronger with the ball and he could benefit by changing pace on his drives. The Celtics unleshed more JB innitiating the offense in the pick n roll than i can remember. His handle was very good tonight and his decision making has seen improvements over the years. Finally i cant go without praising JBs defense on Luka. Clear favorite after 1 game for Finals MVP.

[titlebound1]

This is Celtics series to lose.
TWolves probably better threat (they grab rebounds, bigger and more physical team).

Those 3 drops , they win. They miss, they lose.
Live and die by the 3s. They were def livin tonite.

They did not have a crazy shooting night from 3. They shot almost exactly their season average. It was actually a little worse than their average

[B-easy]

Celtics happy they don't have to play the Nuggets.

[SuperDeluxe]

Kidd saying the Mavs won the 4th.

Did he really? I've always thought he was dumb, but this is just fantastic.

[RB34]

Kidd saying the Mavs won the 4th.

Did he really? I've always thought he was dumb, but this is just fantastic.

Technically he’s correct, not sure that’s what I’d take away from the 4th though.

[KamikazeK]

This is Celtics series to lose.
TWolves probably better threat (they grab rebounds, bigger and more physical team).

Those 3 drops , they win. They miss, they lose.
Live and die by the 3s. They were def livin tonite.

They did not have a crazy shooting night from 3. They shot almost exactly their season average. It was actually a little worse than their average

Pritchard was terrible from deep. Can't count on that happening that many more times in a series. He's usually pretty reliable.

[1st banana]

Kidd saying the Mavs won the 4th.

Did he really? I've always thought he was dumb, but this is just fantastic.

Mavs won garbage time. Your move Joe, have to adjust.

[meh]

Kidd saying the Mavs won the 4th.

Did he really? I've always thought he was dumb, but this is just fantastic.

Technically he’s correct, not sure that’s what I’d take away from the 4th though.

Or even the 3rd where you were up 22-9 and ended up "winning" the quarter 24-23.

[SuperDeluxe]

Kidd saying the Mavs won the 4th.

Did he really? I've always thought he was dumb, but this is just fantastic.

Technically he’s correct, not sure that’s what I’d take away from the 4th though.

They also won the third quarter, so the game was a 2-2 tie. He must be celebrating.

[jkvonny]

Celtics happy they don't have to play the Nuggets.

Or TWolves. They'd feast off those miss 3s (rebounds).

[bigboi]

This series is far from over. It’s only 1 game. While I feel a lot better than I did before game 1, if Mavs win game 2, there’s a lot of pressure on the Celtics heading back to Dallas.

This series is over. We are a flip floppy team at home. If we win Sunday, this is a sweep