AA The Celtics dominate the Mavericks with a commanding 107-89 victory in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, led by Brown and the return of Porzingis.
AA In Boston, Kristaps Porzingis refrained from predicting how his body would fare entering the NBA Finals after being sidelined for over a month with a calf injury. However, he swiftly dispelled any doubts by delivering an impactful performance.
AA Jaylen Brown led with 22 points, supported by Porzingis, who contributed 20 off the bench as the Boston Celtics dominated the Dallas Mavericks 107-89 in Game 1 on Thursday night. Derrick White added 15 points for Boston, which surged to a 29-point lead in the first half and drained 16 3-pointers, setting the stage for their pursuit of an 18th NBA title.
AA Porzingis, a towering presence at 7 feet, returned to action after his April 29th absence, showcasing his versatility with six rebounds and three blocks in just 21 minutes of play.
AA Reflecting on his performance, Porzingis expressed self-assurance: "Tonight was affirmation to myself that I’m pretty good. I’m not perfect but I can play like this and I can add to this team."
AA The anticipation and energy of the home crowd fueled Porzingis, who entered the court last during warmups, igniting a surge of adrenaline. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla had no doubts about Porzingis' ability to contribute, emphasizing his knack for making plays regardless of the time off.
AA Jayson Tatum recorded 16 points and 11 rebounds, leading a balanced Celtics attack with six players reaching double figures. Despite their strong start, Tatum emphasized the team's focus on the task ahead, recalling past experiences where an early lead didn't guarantee success.
AA Dallas mounted a brief comeback in the third quarter, narrowing the gap to eight points before Boston responded with a decisive 14-0 run, firmly reasserting control.
AA Luka Doncic led Dallas with 30 points, supported by P.J. Washington's 14 points and eight rebounds, but the Mavericks struggled to find offensive rhythm beyond their stars, managing just nine assists on 35 field goals.
AA Former Celtic Kyrie Irving faced a hostile reception from Boston fans, enduring boos throughout the game due to past conflicts and a history of contentious interactions with the crowd.
AA Boston displayed little rust from their 10-day break after sweeping the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals, exhibiting fluid ball movement and aggressive interior play.
AA In contrast, Dallas struggled to establish their offensive flow early on, with Doncic being their primary offensive weapon. Despite a brief resurgence, the Mavericks couldn't sustain momentum against Boston's relentless attack.
AA Porzingis' return injected a spark into the Celtics' lineup, with the Latvian swiftly making his presence felt with crucial contributions on both ends of the court.
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