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.
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
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2. Three Point Shooting: Advantage Celtics

Earlier this week, I wrote about how the Celtics would lose this series if it became a three-point contest between Jayson Tatum and Kyrie Irving.

Putting those two players aside for a second, Game 1 was all about three-point shooting, and it was a huge advantage to the Celtics, who were +27 from behind the three-point line.

The Celtics shot better than 40% from downtown in the first half, while the Mavericks were just 3/13 (.230). Overall, Boston made 16 of 42 from deep (38%) and Dallas was 7-27 (25.9%).

Doncic, who led all players with 30 points, needed 12 three-pointers to make four of them. The rest of the team was 3-15. PJ Washington Jr missed all three of his three-point attempts. Derrick Lively went 0-2. Derrick Jones was 1-2.

Seven different Celtics made multiple three-pointers. Sam Hauser was 2-2, Jrue Holiday and Al Horford were each 2-5. Derrick White hit three, though his eight attempts were the most on the team.

As far as the Dukies go, Tatum was okay from distance, shooting 3-7, though he was inefficient overall on the night (6-16 for 16 points in 42 minutes). He picked up a double-double with 11 rebounds and dished out five assists, though he did turn the ball over a game-high six times.

Irving on the other hand...