Chowder and Champions
Fansided

3 Biggest Takeaways From Game 1 of the NBA Finals

Boston rolled to a double-digit victory over the Mavericks at TD Garden on Thursday night, and are three wins away from an NBA Championship.

By Craig Kaufman

Jun 6, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) dunks against Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (25) and forward Maxi Kleber (42) in the third quarter during game one of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 6, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) dunks against Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (25) and forward Maxi Kleber (42) in the third quarter during game one of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports / David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next

The Boston Celtics emphatically protected their home court and took a 1-0 series lead on Thursday night with a 107-89 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals.

After racing out to a Finals-record 17-point lead after the first quarter, the Celtics led comfortably for most of the opening half. Dallas finally got back to within eight in the third quarter but Boston's offensive versatility, which saw six players score in double-figures, and defensive prowess, kept the Mavericks in check.

With three days until game 2 (Sunday at 8:00 PM), there will be plenty of time to dissect this Boston win. Here are some of the biggest takeaways from Game 1.

1. The Return of Kristaps Porzingis

Porzingis returned to the Celtics lineup (though not their starting lineup) for the first time in more than a month, with all of Boston on the edge of their seats to see how he looked just a few weeks removed from a calf injury.

While I do think he had a little bit of a hitch in his step, Porzingis could not have given Boston a bigger lift than he did Thursday night. He came off the bench midway through the first quarter and scored 11 quick points, giving the Celtics a 28-18 lead with a 16-foot jumper and extending the lead to 14 points with a triple.

Porzingis also made an impact defensively. On the next play after he connected from deep, he blocked a pullup jumper by Kyrie Irving, came down with the ball and started the Boston break that led to a Sam Hauser three-pointer.


Blocks were a huge part of this game. Porzingis and Jaylen Brown each had three and Al Horford had a pair as well.

With 2:50 left in the third quarter, Porzingis, after missing a three, noticed that Tatum had gotten the offensive rebound. As he headed back towards the defensive end of the floor, he pivoted and made a beeline for the basket where Tatum found him for a thunderous two-handed jam. That was part of an 14-0 run that put the Celtics back on top by 22 after the Mavericks had come all the way back to get within single digits at 72-64.

Porzingis ended the night with 20 points on 8-13 shooting (2-4 from deep) and six rebounds. I felt all along that the Celtics could win this series without him, but after seeing him play like that tonight, he undoubtedly will lighten the load if he can stay on the court.

Home/Boston Celtics