June 07, (THEWILL) – The Boston Celtics, the league’s best regular-season team, made a resounding statement in Game 1 of the NBA Finals early on Friday. Led by Jaylen Brown’s 22 points, the Celtics exhibited their depth and dominance, easily dispatching the Dallas Mavericks with a 107-89 victory at TD Garden.
The return of Kristaps Porziņģis from a calf injury proved to be a game-changer for the Celtics. The former Maverick, acquired in a significant offseason trade, made an immediate impact off the bench, scoring 20 points and providing a much-needed boost to Boston’s frontcourt. Porziņģis’ presence allowed the Celtics to establish their physicality and disrupt the Mavericks’ offensive flow.
Luka Dončić, the league’s regular-season scoring champion, tried to keep the Mavericks afloat with 30 points and 10 rebounds. However, the absence of support from his teammates, particularly Kyrie Irving, who struggled with 12 points on 6-of-19 shooting, proved costly for Dallas. The Mavericks’ offense stagnated, managing only nine assists for the game, a stark contrast to the Celtics’ balanced and unselfish play.
The Celtics’ defensive intensity was a key factor in their Game 1 triumph. They swarmed Dončić and Irving, forcing the Mavericks into difficult shots and capitalising on turnovers. Jayson Tatum, Al Horford, and Derrick White contributed on both ends of the court, demonstrating the depth and versatility that have made the Celtics a formidable force throughout the season.
With a 1-0 lead in the series, the Celtics have sent a strong message to the Mavericks and the rest of the league. Their quest for an 18th championship appears to be well within reach, as they look to maintain their dominance and capitalise on their home-court advantage in Game 2 on Sunday.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
