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

[hugepatsfan]

The tough part for Tatum is that he’s a step down from the “elite of the elite” class of players but he’s close enough and consistently playing deep in the playoffs to where he gets held to that standard.

Guys like Luka, Jokic, Lebron in his prime, Curry/Durant in theirs, etc are good enough to take that defensive pressure and still make plays for others while scoring with efficiency and volume themselves. That’s why they’ll all go down as top 5/10/15/20 whatever players in the history of the game.

Tatum just isn’t on that level. So yeah he’s not scoring as efficiently as you’d like in the face of that pressure, but he’s still drawing that pressure and making the right play for others at an extremely high clip.

We are still slobbing Doncic after Mavs couldn’t crack 90?

It’s one game. You have to look at the entirety of his body of work so far. The individual talent is undeniable. He’s clearly going to go down as a be of the greatest offensive players in the history of the game.

[chrisab123]

I mean Celtics fans had to hear about how they couldn't stop Kyrie and Luka for a week and how they were overmatched by Dallas, etc...etc... by the media the series is just beginning and the Mavs probably win Game 2, but you can't fault the fanbase on this one.

[The Corey's]

Mavs have no defense. They can't stop Boston. They haven't been able to all year.

This idea of a scheduled loss in the **** NBA finals is insane.

Boston had a much wider layoff and I was told that the teams Boston faced were so bad that they would get punched in the mouth with talent they haven't faced all year.

Dallas has zero chance of winning on the defensive side. They're gonna have to score 120 plus.

[The Corey's]

I mean Celtics fans had to hear about how they couldn't stop Kyrie and Luka for a week and how they were overmatched by Dallas, etc...etc... by the media the series is just beginning and the Mavs probably win Game 2, but you can't fault the fanbase on this one.

Jrue and White were said to be mid at best.

Everyone in the Celtics top 6 play defense.

[maverick_41]

Let's make conclusion based on the first playoff game of the Mavs - Clippers series and agree that Clips in 5

[Shaka_Zulu]

What a tactically fascinating first game! Celtics held the cards already but If KP plays every game like this Mavs has no chance sadly. He blocked everything like a Gobert and shooting over everyone like a Durant. Insane.





KP transitioning to beast mode after long injury layoff is ridiculous and key. Because even if Doncic is best player on court, all the other players are advantage Celtics (or at best even between Brown and Kyrie, Kyrie played bad tho).





Which will be felt in a game of runs as NBA is now. Mavs role players can't hit consistent 3s, and not getting lob dunks due KP or their wings packing paint daring Mavs role players to hit 3s.





And they have Jrue, White or sometimes Brown just focusing on taking turns wearing down Kyrie, so pretty much just daring Doncic to score everything when they hyper focus to shut down Kyrie. DJjr and PJ Washington not hitting 3s, and no drop coverage but wall up so no lob dunks (Mavs had historical volume lob dunks all playoffs until this game, marvellous scheming).





So basically Celtics schemes telling Mavs and J Kidd, is anyone but Doncic gonna show up or what?





Almost thought Celtics were being too cute insisting to shoot only 3s early 3rd, they were hot first half, but over reliance on it led to them dropping 29 pt lead to 8 pt. Lost focus completely almost, was thinking here we go again they all think they Steph Curry full time. But then Brown, Tatum realised their 5 out offense completely exposes Mavs bigs inside defence (Gafford couldnt keep up and Livelt getting fouls trying to switch on perimeter), started attacking basket and big lead was back and it's a wrap.



Having the best player on the court matters, but being outdone every other position in each teams top 6 players, and most importantly the switchable Celtics defence and inside presence to make it tough. But most telling the 5 out offense of Celtics nullifying their 2 bigs inside D they thrived on all season is big.


Tactical cheme wise Mavs alot of catching up to do. Because personnel wise we all knew they were already severely behind with the role players (if KP and Brown plays like this as 2nd and 3rd guys, jesus).

[165bows]

The tough part for Tatum is that he’s a step down from the “elite of the elite” class of players but he’s close enough and consistently playing deep in the playoffs to where he gets held to that standard.

Guys like Luka, Jokic, Lebron in his prime, Curry/Durant in theirs, etc are good enough to take that defensive pressure and still make plays for others while scoring with efficiency and volume themselves. That’s why they’ll all go down as top 5/10/15/20 whatever players in the history of the game.

Tatum just isn’t on that level. So yeah he’s not scoring as efficiently as you’d like in the face of that pressure, but he’s still drawing that pressure and making the right play for others at an extremely high clip.

We are still slobbing Doncic after Mavs couldn’t crack 90?

It’s one game. You have to look at the entirety of his body of work so far. The individual talent is undeniable. He’s clearly going to go down as a be of the greatest offensive players in the history of the game.

Sure, body of work - his team played barely .500 ball for a year and a half and tanked to miss the playoffs last year. What's body of work, that or ten playoff games this year?
Edit - so yes, I agree, one of the best offensive talents of all time but I don't think he's even close to Jokic on the other end.

[Triple7]

The tough part for Tatum is that he’s a step down from the “elite of the elite” class of players but he’s close enough and consistently playing deep in the playoffs to where he gets held to that standard.

Guys like Luka, Jokic, Lebron in his prime, Curry/Durant in theirs, etc are good enough to take that defensive pressure and still make plays for others while scoring with efficiency and volume themselves. That’s why they’ll all go down as top 5/10/15/20 whatever players in the history of the game.

Tatum just isn’t on that level. So yeah he’s not scoring as efficiently as you’d like in the face of that pressure, but he’s still drawing that pressure and making the right play for others at an extremely high clip.

We are still slobbing Doncic after Mavs couldn’t crack 90?

I'm verrrrry interested in the ESPN spin this morning. Probably just pivot to LeBron/Hurley again.

Already starting lol.

[jg77]

I have no rooting interest in this series but I guess I'll root for Porzingis' revenge against his former team. It was fun watching him dominate last night.

[robdog_5]

Boston got the much better looks. That matters, I think Kyrie and Luka will each have games where it doesn't matter what the defense does. The harder part for Dallas is on any given day White or Holiday or even Al if left open can basically do what KP did last night. They have so many guys who can go off if you allow them too and they don't always have to show it but they have a lot of ways they can create offense.

Holiday can punish people in the post. White can shoot it and attack closeouts and finish at rim, Al can pick and pop, KP did what he's great at last night punishing matchups and shooting over guys and stretching the 3, obviously JB and JT can get there own. Just have a lot of ways of creating. Mavericks have 2 ways really. Luka and Kyrie. 2 fantastic ways though. Just think Boston has more options/answers. I've also seen Boston use none of them and go full iso/chucker style. So I'm not counting any chickens.

To me Dallas best option is to force officials to call stuff and get physical. Which they tried to do at times. When teams bump and get physical on D vs Boston they have a tendency to settle for low % shots instead of working for better ones.

JT also at times needs to be better by the rim which he has shown growth over last 2 years. Interesting game cause besides KP and Browns D nothing was above what they always do. And thought Tatum was bad, and the shooting on open 3s wasn't even as good as it is usually.

[brackdan70]

Still a long series ahead. Celtics blew out the Heat and Cavs in game one and then lost game two. I hope they down have a similar letdown.
This Mavs team is good and physical. They’ll be ready to play for game 2. It’s wild that Doncic seemed like he had an off game and still got 30.
I think the Ca did a good job of making him work and played overall good team D. When JT or JB drive hard and dish into a hockey assist with good ball movement the Celtics offense was very effective. Great that Zinger was back to full form.

[Celts17Pride]

Let's make conclusion based on the first playoff game of the Mavs - Clippers series and agree that Clips in 5

This series has a long way to go and nothing has been decided but not basing conclusions off of the first playoff game. Celtics are 3-0 against the Mavs this year with an average margin of victory of 18 points per game. Will be interesting to see what the Mavs can do in Game 2.

[Jadoogar]

New ranking of players in the series
Luka
Brown
Tatum
KP
Holiday/White
Kyrie

[Celts17Pride]

Read on Twitter

Big Al Horford now 10-1 as a starter in the 2024 NBA playoffs.

[DoctorX]

I don't see Boston losing a game on their homecourt in this series. When the series goes back to Dallas that will be interesting to see how the game gets called over there. Dallas' only chance is if the refs call touch fouls on every possession and even in that scenario the Celtics can still win.

[Riverwalk2021]

New ranking of players in the series
Luka
Brown
Tatum
KP
Holiday/White
Kyrie

I’d put it on levels

Luka
Tatum, Brown
Kyrie, Porzingis, White, Jrue
Al
Hauser, Dallas Scrubs
Pritchard and Celtic stay ready crew

[TheGeneral99]

Celtics should win this but don't forget OKC blew Dallas out in game 1 of the semi finals.

[Curmudgeon]

Why are the finals being dragged out beyond the middle of June? If the series goes 7, the last game will be on June 23.
What's the point? Does the league make more money be having so much time between games?

As a fan, I find it annoying.

[Riverwalk2021]

Celtics in 5.

[fallguy]

Celtics are going to continue torturing Luka on defense. He can't hold up out there.