Bostons Depth Proves Too Much For Dallas

Celtics Rout Mavericks 107-89 in Game 1 of NBA Finals

Boston's Depth Proves Too Much for Dallas

Kristaps Porzingis Returns, Drops 20 Points

The Boston Celtics took Game 1 of the NBA Finals with a commanding 107-89 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on June 6, 2024. Despite the return of Kristaps Porzingis from a calf injury, the Celtics' depth proved too much for the Mavericks. Porzingis finished with 20 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Celtics' balanced attack.

Jaylen Brown led the way for the Celtics with 24 points, followed by Jayson Tatum with 23 points. Marcus Smart added 20 points, and Al Horford chipped in with 15 points and 10 rebounds. The Celtics shot 52.2% from the field and hit 11 three-pointers.

The Mavericks struggled to keep up with the Celtics' pace and energy. Luka Dončić led the Mavericks with 20 points, but he shot just 7-of-19 from the field. Kyrie Irving added 19 points, but he was also inefficient, shooting 8-of-22. The Mavericks shot just 40.8% from the field and hit only 6 three-pointers.

The Celtics' victory gives them a 1-0 lead in the NBA Finals. Game 2 is scheduled for June 8, 2024, in Boston.

5 Takeaways from Game 1

1. The Celtics' depth is a major advantage. The Celtics have a number of players who can contribute, and it showed in Game 1. Brown, Tatum, Smart, and Horford all scored in double figures, and they were able to wear down the Mavericks over the course of the game.
2. The Mavericks need to find a way to get Dončić and Irving more involved. Dončić and Irving are the Mavericks' two best players, but they were both relatively quiet in Game 1. The Mavericks need to find a way to get them more touches and more opportunities to create for themselves and others.
3. The Celtics' defense is very good. The Celtics held the Mavericks to just 39.8% shooting from the field and forced 15 turnovers. The Celtics' defense is one of the best in the league, and it will be a major challenge for the Mavericks to score against them.
4. The Mavericks need to make adjustments. The Mavericks were outplayed in Game 1, and they need to make some adjustments if they want to win Game 2. They need to find a way to get more production from their bench, and they need to find a way to slow down the Celtics' offense.
5. The series is far from over. The Celtics won Game 1, but the series is far from over. The Mavericks are a talented team, and they have shown that they can be a tough opponent. The Celtics will need to continue to play well if they want to win the series.