Celtics dominate Mavericks in NBA Finals opener; why Dan Hurley fits Lakers

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🏀 Good morning to everyone, but especially to …

 THE BOSTON CELTICS

Minutes into his NBA Finals debut and long-awaited return from a calf injury, Kristaps Porzingis was smiling and the Celtics were rolling. By the end of the first quarter, Boston led by 17, the largest NBA Finals Game 1 lead after one quarter in league history.

So when those smiles had disappeared and the Mavericks had cut a 29-point deficit to single digits, it was fitting that Porzingis got the hosts and their fans going again, forcing a Kyrie Irving travel on one end and throwing down a ferocious dunk on the other.

That was the last time Dallas was within single digits.

Porzingis scored 20 points and added six rebounds and three blocks off the bench and all five Boston starters scored in double figures as the Celtics handily won Game 1, 107-89.

Save for a few short spans, Boston was at or near its best, and Porzingis was a huge reason for that, Sam Quinn writes.

Quinn:“Let’s start with the obvious question: how did Boston protect Porzingis from defending in space against the dangerous Dallas ball-handlers? In short, it bet against the less impressive Dallas 3-point shooters….


Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/celtics-dominate-mavericks-in-nba-finals-opener-why-dan-hurley-fits-lakers/

Author : Zachary Pereles

Publish date : 2024-06-07 13:19:09

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