The Boston Celtics are just four wins away from reaching their 18th championship, which would break the tie on the all-time list with their archrivals the Los Angeles Lakers. For this to happen, they will have to take down the versatile and talented Luka Doncic and his Dallas Mavericks, as well as star Kyrie Irving in the NBA Finals.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will seek revenge after losing this same instance in 2022 against the Golden State Warriors when they begin the series to win seven, on Thursday, at the TD Garden in Boston.
The Celtics and the Mavs are experiencing their own title droughts. It has been 16 years since the Celtics have failed to lift the NBA championship, while the Dallas team did so for the first and last time in their history in 2011, when their current coach Jason Kidd was part of that squad as a player.
Despite the figures that stand out in both franchises, Kristaps Porzingis is pointed out as the player who could define the series in favor of the Celtics.
The former Mavs center has been crucial since his arrival to the team a year ago, giving it depth in the attack and security in the defense under the boards, a balance that they lacked to reach the title in 2022. Porzingis failed to consolidate himself in his time with the Mavericks and apparently found his best situation in Boston.
Meanwhile, Irving experienced something similar because he played for the Celtics in 2019, amid criticism and snubs and never felt comfortable in the team, so his departure generated annoyance among fans who expected more from the player.
Irving was a one-time champion with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016 alongside LeBron James.
Schedules
Game 1: In Boston, Thursday, June 6, 5:30 p.m. PT, ESPN Deportes/ABC
Game 2: In Boston, Sunday, June 9, 5 pm PT, ESPN Deportes/ABC
Game 3: In Dallas, Wednesday, June 12, 5:30 p.m. PT, ESPN Deportes/ABC
Game 4: In Dallas, Friday, June 14, 5:30 p.m. PT, ESPN Deportes/ABC
*Game 5: In Boston, Monday, June 17, 5:30 p.m. PT, ESPN Deportes/ABC
*Game 6: In Dallas, Thursday, June 20, 5:30 p.m. PT, ESPN Deportes/ABC
*Game 7: In Boston, Sunday, June 23, 5 pm PT, ESPN Deportes/ABC
*If necessary
