Mavericks Fall to Celtics in NBA Finals Opener
Boston's Depth Overwhelms Dallas
Luka-Kyrie Duo Struggles, Mavs' Bigs Grounded
The Boston Celtics took a commanding lead in the 2024 NBA Finals, defeating the Dallas Mavericks 107-96 in Game 1 on Tuesday night. The Celtics' depth and suffocating defense proved too much for the star-studded Mavericks, who struggled to find offensive rhythm throughout the game.
Despite stellar performances from Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving, the Celtics' balanced attack and relentless hustle overpowered Dallas. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 25 points, while Jayson Tatum added 23 points and 12 rebounds. Seven Celtics players scored in double figures, highlighting the team's versatility and bench strength.
The Mavericks' struggles were compounded by the Celtics' ability to limit the impact of their big men. Dwight Powell and Christian Wood were held to a combined 10 points and 12 rebounds, well below their average production. This forced Dončić and Irving to shoulder the offensive load, but their efforts were stifled by Boston's swarming defense.
The Celtics' victory gives them a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Game 2 will be played in Boston on Thursday night.
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