NBA finals predictions: Mavericks or Celtics? Our writers share their picks

The Mavs are here because …

Their trade deadline moves. The Luke Dončić-Kyrie Irving axis is what makes the Mavs go. But acquiring PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford transformed this team. The pair beefed up the team’s frontcourt and helped ratchet up the defensive intensity, covering up for any flaws in Dončić and Irving. OC

The Mavericks made some very shrewd deadline moves, and Irving’s rebirth as a leader and dependable No 2 option has been impressive. But this is The Luka Dončić Show – he entered the postseason as the MVP runner-up to Nikola Jokić, who is considered by many to be the best player alive. But it’s Dončić’s time, and he’s coming for the throne. CDL

Was it only 14 months ago when Dallas were tarred as a national punchline in these pages after tanking in order to keep a top-10-protected draft choice they owed New York? That chicanery earned the Mavericks a $750,000 fine and a public tut-tut from Adam Silver, but the pick turned into Dereck Lively II, the 7ft 1in rookie center who’s made an outsized impact during the Mavs’ finals run. Who’s laughing now? BAG

Donnie Nelson, in one of his last gasps as GM, made the trade A-Town never forgot: Restless over the team picking fifth in the 2018 draft, Nelson shipped Dallas’s first-round selection in 2019 to Atlanta to take Dončić third. The Hawks drafted Trae Young, a fine but streaky long-distance shooter whose middling teams have managed just two playoff series wins since his arrival. In some corners of Atlanta, you’ll spy a No 77 Dončić jersey in red and white. AL

Schedule

Best-of-seven series. All times US eastern time (EDT). 

Thu 6 Jun Game 1: Mavericks at Celtics

Sun 9 Jun Game 2: Mavericks at Celtics

Wed 12 Jun Game 3: Celtics at Mavericks

Fri 14 Jun Game 4: Celtics at Mavericks

Mon 17 Jun Game 5: Mavericks at Celtics*

Thu 20 Jun Game 6: Celtics at Mavericks*

Sun 23 Jun Game 7: Mavericks at Celtics*

*if necessary

The Celtics are here because …

They’re the best team in the NBA. They have (statistically) the No 1 offense in league history and a flexible, elite defense. The Celtics obliterated the league in points per…


Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nba-finals-predictions-mavericks-celtics-090005563.html

Author : The Guardian

Publish date : 2024-06-06 09:00:05

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