After a long awaited return from injury, the Boston Celtics used a strong performance from Kristaps Porzingis to defeat the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. It marks the third instance the Mavs have lost a series opener this postseason, with the only exception being in the Western Conference finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
After the Mavericks established a 9-5 lead, the Celtics went on a 7-0 run. Dallas responded with a 4-0 run led by Irving to go up 13-12, entering a timeout at the 6:58 mark of the first quarter. Irving stole the ball and drew a foul from Brown, followed by two tough pull-up short-range jumpers. Different Mavericks role players began trying to attack aggressively in transition and came empty, including Washington and Jaden Hardy. Dallas began getting outplayed by Porzingis, with a dunk attacking Lively, blocking Hardy at the rim in pick-and-roll, then making a face-up jumper. Boston used this stretch of play to go up 28-18 with 2:20 left in the period, establishing the first double figure advantage of the night for Boston.
Dallas opted to go small with Maxi Kleber and Washington as its frontcourt midway through the second quarter, making it simpler to switch everything and play five out offense. Dallas opened the third quarter on a 10-5 run to make it a 16-point game entering a timeout with 7:42 remaining. Irving was aggressive attacking downhill. Doncic attacked the rim for a finish to trim the deficit to 14 points. As Holiday shot free throws, Porzingis checked back into the game.
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