Mavericks Face Uphill Battle After Celtics Win Game 1
5 Key Takeaways from Boston's Dominant Performance
Boston's Depth Overwhelms Dallas
In the opening game of the 2024 NBA Finals, the Boston Celtics made a statement with a 107-89 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. The Celtics' balanced scoring attack and suffocating defense proved too much for the Mavericks, who now face a daunting 2-0 deficit heading into Game 3.
Luka-Kyrie Duo Struggles
Despite high expectations, the star duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving had a disappointing performance in Game 1. Doncic scored just 19 points on inefficient shooting, while Irving contributed only 17 points on 6-of-15 shooting. The Celtics' aggressive defense made it difficult for the Mavericks' backcourt to create easy scoring opportunities.
Celtics Soar from Three-Point Range
One of the key factors in Boston's victory was their dominance from beyond the arc. The Celtics knocked down 16 three-pointers at a 38.1% clip, while the Mavericks managed only 7 threes at 25.9%. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum combined for 38 points, including several timely three-pointers.
Boston's Lockdown Defense
The Celtics' defense was equally impressive, limiting the Mavericks to 36.5% shooting from the field. Boston's length and athleticism forced Dallas into contested shots and turnovers. The Mavericks struggled to find any rhythm offensively, and their poor shooting performance allowed the Celtics to pull away.
Mavs Facing Uphill Battle
With the series shifting to Dallas for Games 3 and 4, the Mavericks have an uphill battle ahead of them. They will need to improve their shooting, defend better against Boston's three-point threat, and find a way to slow down Tatum and Brown. The Celtics, on the other hand, will look to capitalize on their momentum and take a commanding lead in the series.
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