One swept, the other swept like gentlemen. It was as if the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks were eager to get on with this and wanted as much prep time as possible before Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals on June 6.
Boston was the NBA’s best team by record all season, running away with the East and claiming home court for as long as they needed it, including this round. Dallas went 50-32, which it’s worth noting would have tied for second in the East with New York. That still was 14 games off the Celtics’ pace, though, and good for only the No. 5 seed in the West.
That had the Mavericks playing from down under to beat the Clippers, the Thunder and the Timberwolves, all while looking more like a title threat at each step. Boston mostly stayed above the fray as favorites, which brought criticism for lone missteps against the Heat and the Cavaliers and allowed some critics to poke at forward Jayson Tatum’s fire.
The Celtics took both games against Dallas this season. They won 119-110 on the Mavericks’ court on Jan. 22, then beat the Mavs again 138-110 on March 1 in Boston. This is Boston’s 23rd trip to the Finals. Dallas has made it twice before, this one coming 13 years after its 2011 upset championship over the first edition of Miami’s “super team”.
It’s been a claim for a couple of weeks this postseason, that in Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving Dallas arguably has the most potent offensive backcourt in NBA history. Why argue now? Let’s stipulate to that and enjoy a strength vs. strength matchup with Boston’s starting guards.
Jrue Holiday and Derrick White earned spots on the All-Defensive 2nd Team and have built their reputations over years of making offensive counterparts uncomfortable. They’re disruptive and sticky, capable of ball pressure that can throw off even Doncic’s late-clock decisions or Irving’s highlight finishes. Going the other way, Irving has looked more diligent this spring, while Doncic mostly uses defensive possessions to recharge.
