The NBA Finals have arrived, the storylines, the drama, it's all ready to unfold tonight at the TD Garden. The Celtics are back for the second time in three years, the Mavericks are in The Finals for the first time since 2011. Can Luka magic prevail or will Boston be too much?
NBA Finals Preview
Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks
The Boston Celtics cruised through the Eastern Conference in these playoffs, going 12-2 on their way to The NBA Finals. Haters say that the Celtics have not faced a tough opponent in the playoffs. With the experience this Celtics roster has, the opponent does not matter much. Boston will come out and compete.
The Dallas Mavericks have been one of the hottest teams in basketball after the trade deadline. Trading for Daniel Gafford and PJ Washington gave the Mavericks a tremendous boost. What is most impressive about Dallas' postseason is they have done this with Luka Doncic nursing a sprained knee. Kyrie Irving has once again proven that he is the perfect Robin to Batman. Can Luka and Kyrie keep up their incredible run against the best team in the NBA?
The Celtics and Mavericks played each other two times in this year's regular season. Boston won both games. Here are some statlines from those games:
January 22nd - Boston Celtics (119) @ Dallas Mavericks (110)
Jayson Tatum: 39 Pts, 11 Rbs, 5 Ast. (11/21 FG)
Jaylen Brown: 34 Pts, 3 Rbs, 4 Ast. (12/23)
Jrue Holiday: 17 Pts, 7 Rbs, 6 Ast. (6/13 FG)
Celtics: 15/46 3PT FG
Mavericks: 14/40 3PT FG
Luka Doncic: 33 Pts, 18 Rbs, 13 Ast. (12/30 FG)
Kyrie Irving: 23 Pts, 6 Rbs, 3 Ast. (9/20 FG)
March 1st - Dallas Mavericks (110) @ Boston Celtics (138)
Jayson Tatum: 32 Pts, 8 Rbs, 3 Ast. (10/19 FG)
Jaylen Brown: 25 Pts, 7 Rbs, 5 Ast. (11/20 FG)
Kristaps Porzingis: 24 Pts, 6 Rbs, 2 Ast. (8-14 FG)
Celtics: 21/43 3PT FG
Mavericks: 9/34 3PT FG
Luka Doncic: 37 Pts, 12 Rbs, 11 Ast. (14/25 FG)
Kyrie Irving: 19 Pts, 4 Rbs, 2 Ast. (9/23 FG)
PJ Washington: 17 Pts, 7 Rbs. (7/16 FG)
Derek Lively III: 15 Pts, 4 Rbs. (7-7 FG)
While both results favored the Boston Celtics, the Mavericks have changed quite a bit. In the March 1st game, Derrick Jones only played 7 minutes. Now Derrick Jones is in the starting lineup which is a big boost defensively. Kristaps Porzingis has been injured throughout the postseason, he is now back for the NBA Finals and ready to provide another threat for the Celtics. The Celtics play (mostly) 8 guys in the rotation, all of who can shoot three pointers.
Luka and Kyrie will have their moments but this Celtics team is ready to complete their mission. There is a reason the Celtics won 64 games and have been heavily favored all season. This is where the Celtics show what they're made of. C's in 6.
Prediction: Celtics def. Mavericks in 6 games
Finals MVP: Jayson Tatum
Comentarios