NBA Finals 2024: Boston Celtics Dominate Mavericks in Game 1 of NBA Finals

NBA Finals – Celtics Crush Mavericks in Electrifying Game 1 Victory!

On Thursday night in Game 1 of the NBA Finals 2024, the Boston Celtics easily defeated the Dallas Mavericks 107-89 thanks to 22 points from Jaylen Brown and 20 from Kristaps PorziņĖis, who scored 20 points in his first game in more than a month. Derrick White contributed significantly with 15 points for Boston, which surged ahead with a 29-point lead in the first half. The Celtics connected on 16 three-pointers, showcasing a potent start to their quest for an 18th NBA title.

Porziņģis, who had been sidelined since April 29 due to a strained right calf, came off the bench to make an immediate impact. In just 21 minutes, he recorded six rebounds and three blocks. His presence was felt on both ends of the floor, providing the Celtics with a significant boost. Six Boston players finished in double figures, highlighting a balanced and dynamic team effort.

Mavericks’ Struggles in NBA Finals Game 1

Luka Dončić led Dallas with an impressive 30 points, while PJ Washington added 14 points and eight rebounds. However, the Mavericks struggled to find offensive consistency beyond these contributions. They managed just nine assists on 35 field goals, underscoring their inability to move the ball effectively and create scoring opportunities.

Former Celtic Kyrie Irving had a rough night, finishing with only 12 points. Irving was met with a loud chorus of boos during introductions and whenever he touched the ball, a continuation of the animosity from Boston fans stemming from his contentious departure and subsequent incidents during a 2022 playoff visit.

Celtics’ Dominance

The Celtics, seeking their first championship since 2008, showed no signs of rust from their 10-day layoff after sweeping the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals. They played with energy and cohesion, sharing the ball seamlessly and finding open shooters for three-point attempts. Their aggressive approach also saw them attacking the interior of Dallas’s defense, resulting in several highlight-reel dunks.

Game Flow

Despite an early struggle, Dallas initially led by one point midway through the first quarter. However, the Celtics responded emphatically, outscoring the Mavericks 44-16 to take a commanding 58-29 lead in the second quarter. Boston’s defense was relentless, stifling Dallas’s offensive efforts and forcing numerous turnovers.

Dallas mounted a comeback in the third quarter, using a 35-14 run, including 15 points from Dončić, to trim Boston’s lead to 72-64. Yet, Boston quickly regained control, ending the quarter with a 14-2 run to enter the fourth quarter with an 86-66 advantage.
The Mavericks’ struggles were epitomized by their ball movement or lack thereof. With just five assists through the first three quarters, they set an unwanted record for the fewest assists in any NBA game through 36 minutes over the last three seasons.

Porziņģis’ Return

Kristaps Porziņģis ended his 10-game absence by coming off the bench with 7:17 left in the first quarter, replacing starter Al Horford. With the exception of a white compression sleeve on his right leg, it was hard to tell Porziņģis had been injured. He quickly got involved, hitting a pair of free throws after being fouled by Dončić and following it up with a short jumper over him.

Porziņģis wasn’t done making his mark. Minutes later, he slipped into the paint for a powerful two-handed dunk over Derrick Lively. On the next possession, he swatted away Jaden Hardy’s layup attempt. The Celtics capitalized on the defensive stop, pushing the ball up the court and finding Porziņģis, who calmly sank a 16-footer.

First Quarter Surge

This flurry was part of a 17-5 Boston run over the final 5:24 of the first quarter. Porziņģis went 4-for-5 from the field, scoring 11 points, blocking two shots, and grabbing three rebounds, helping Boston to a 37-20 lead heading into the second quarter. By halftime, Porziņģis had tallied 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting, demonstrating his value to the team and his readiness for the high-stakes atmosphere of the NBA Finals.

Looking Ahead

With this resounding victory, the Celtics have set the tone for the series. Their depth, defensive prowess, and balanced scoring make them a formidable opponent. Dallas will need to find answers quickly if they hope to bounce back in Game 2. The Celtics, buoyed by their home crowd and the return of key players like Porziņģis, appear poised to make a strong push towards their 18th championship banner.