The Boston Celtics took the first game of the NBA Finals on Thursday night, sweeping the Dallas Mavericks 107-89 thanks to a stellar duo formed by Kristaps Porzingis and Jaylen Brown. Especially notable was the performance of Porzingis, who returned after more than a month out due to injury and who shone with 20 points (18 of them in a wonderful first half). The second game of the Finals will also be played on Sunday at the TD Garden in Boston.
After walking through an East without rivals at their level, there was some doubt about how the Celtics would get to the Finals. But, when push came to shove, Boston reminded the forgetful why they have been the best team in the league this season. Those in green went on to win by 29 points in a majestic first half and also knew how to put out a fire in the third quarter when the Mavericks were only 8 behind.
Porzingis and Brown (22 points) led a much superior Celtics team in which Jayson Tatum had 16 points and 11 rebounds. Dominican Al Horford contributed 10 points and 7 rebounds.
Boston was 16 of 42 on three-pointers (38.1%) and its defense, which had 9 blocks, left Dallas at a dismal 7 of 27 from outside (25.9%) and only 9 assists among the entire team (per 23 Boston).
Luka Doncic was the best of the Mavericks with 30 points and 10 rebounds but only distributed one assist. Kyrie Irving, much booed after his controversial time with the Celtics (2017-2019), had a nightmare night with 12 points and a poor 6 of 19 shooting.
Boston has not won the title since 2008 and is seeking its 18th ring in these Finals, which would allow it to break the tie with its eternal rivals: the Los Angeles Lakers (17).
Not Doncic, not Tatum, not Irving, not Brown.
The name that aroused the greatest expectation was Porzingis, who had not played since April 29 due to a calf injury. Crucial in Joe Mazzulla’s scheme to form with five open players, the Latvian giant came off the bench and Horford replaced him at the start with two triples.
But Porzingis’ entrance revolutionized the match. It was not only the reception from his fans, who welcomed him with a huge ovation, but the center, with several spectacular plays in attack and defense, made it clear that he had recovered perfectly from his injury with 11 points (2 of 2 in triples), 3 rebounds and 2 blocks in seven overwhelming minutes.
Doubtful and intemperate, the Mavericks conceded a monumental 23-5 run in six minutes and the TD Garden looked like a green volcano erupting with a 37-20 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The gale continued in the second period and Brown excelled with a brutal dunk on Daniel Gafford, piercing the visiting defense like a dagger.
However, the superhero of that moment was Porzingis, who seemed incapable of missing a shot and who stretched the local lead to over 20 points (48-27 with 6.30 left).
Absolutely overwhelmed, the Mavericks lost by 29 points in a ruinous first half in which everything went wrong: Brown stole Doncic’s wallet, Irving was missing and their defense was leaking.
Even so, the worst was their attack, one of the best in the NBA in recent months but which sank with 3 of 13 in triples at halftime.
On the other hand, the Celtics were 11 of 27 from the perimeter and the 63-42 lead on the way to the locker room almost seemed like little reward for Boston’s performance.
Porzingis, who punished the Mavericks every time he was left with a low defender, scored 18 points (7 of 9 shooting) and Doncic with 17 points (7 of 14) was the only support for Dallas.
…and Brown finishes
Nobody gave a dollar for them, but the Mavericks, experts in comebacks, once again invented an amazing resurrection.
A huge run of 9-22, crowned with a triple from Doncic, allowed them to get back into the game (72-64 with 4.28 left).
The pieces were beginning to fall into place for Jason Kidd’s team: Doncic in charge of operations, a defense that was finally firm, the Celtics suddenly disconnected…
But a superb Brown came to the rescue, sealing three magnificent blocks and also reactivating his team in attack. Boston returned the set to the Mavericks 14-2 and landed in the fourth quarter with a very wide margin (86-66).
There was no longer another miraculous awakening for Dallas, who found no help for Doncic throughout the evening and who on Sunday will have another option to snatch the home court factor from the fearsome Celtics.
