The returning stars who could decide NBA Championship

Watch the first match of the NBA Finals live – the Boston Celtics take on the Dallas Mavericks in the early hours of Friday morning (UK only, 01:30 BST) on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, and the BBC Sport website and app [Getty Images]

As the curtain rises on the opening game of the NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks, two players will face their former sides in the hope of lifting the Larry O’Brien trophy.

Former Maverick Kristaps Porzingis is aiming to end Boston’s championship drought that dates back to 2008. He faces a Dallas side who last tasted glory in 2011.

And the Mavericks have former Celtic Kyrie Irving, part of a dynamic Dallas back court that secured a Finals spot with a blend of finesse and grit.

It will be a culmination of a season’s worth of blood, sweat, and tears – made even spicier by the two returning stars.

The Celtics’ ‘Unicorn’

The Boston Celtics have endured 16 years of near-misses, what-ifs and heartbreaking close encounters, moments that have conditioned their fans to brace for the worst.

However, as they gear up for their second Finals appearance in two years, the C’s now have arguably their best chance to finally get it done, courtesy of Porzingis.

Kristaps Porzingis was drafted number four by the New York Knicks in 2015 [Getty Images]

In June last year, the Celtics made a bold, game-changing decision: trading away guard Marcus Smart in a three-team deal to get centre Porzingis from the Washington Wizards.

This unexpected move sent shockwaves through the fanbase. Smart was the heart of the team, he even dyed his hair green. It was a move that signalled Boston’s all-in approach to clinching the title.

Porzingis never clicked alongside superstar Luka Doncic during his time at Dallas, but his development since leaving in 2022 could come back to haunt them as he returns from injury after missing the play-offs so far.

The 28-year-old is dubbed ‘The Unicorn’ for his versatile skill set and shooting prowess, and could be the X-factor in this best-of-seven series.

Porzingis, because of his shooting, will force Dallas into having to defend the perimeter a lot more.

It’s a defensive…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/returning-stars-could-decide-nba-074529102.html

Author : BBC

Publish date : 2024-06-06 07:45:29

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