Celtics seem to follow a pattern in their games. You can see it play out in almost each game that they play.
In many Boston Celtics games, there’s a turning point where their dominance wavers. Their impressive three-point shooting can suddenly go cold, and their well-planned ball movement can seem directionless. This vulnerability often leads to them losing substantial leads, putting them at risk even in games they seemed to control. In Game 1 of the NBA Finals, the Celtics built a 29-point lead, only to see most of it slip away. Jayson Tatum noted that their offense became stagnant due to poor spacing and defensive pressure. However, unlike previous games, the Celtics didn’t end up in a close battle; they responded strongly and secured a decisive 107-89 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, with Dallas pulling their starters well before the end.
The Mavericks have absolutely no answer for Kristaps Porzingis right now pic.twitter.com/vW19o521mi
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzellNBA) June 7, 2024
The significant difference for the Celtics in this game was the return of Kristaps Porzingis. Playing for the first time since straining his calf against the Miami Heat over a month ago, Porzingis came off the bench and disrupted every defensive switch Dallas tried. Smaller defenders like Jaden Hardy and Josh Green were overmatched, and even Luka Doncic struggled against his former teammate. Porzingis scored 20 points in 21 minutes, added crucial rebounds, and provided strong rim protection. His presence transformed the Celtics, giving them more offensive options and solidifying their defense.
The Mavericks, who recorded their lowest scoring total of the postseason, faced major challenges with Porzingis on the court. As the NBA’s most efficient post scorer, Porzingis exploited mismatches, and his performance indicated his calf injury wasn’t hindering him. This forced Dallas to reconsider their defensive strategy, as switching on pick-and-roll plays proved ineffective against Porzingis. If the Mavericks continue with their current strategy, they risk further complications, as Boston’s offense thrives on causing defensive scrambles and creating open shots for Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Kristaps Porzingis didn’t want to get into the weeds of his relationship with Luka / his Mavericks tenure today:
“It didn’t work out. I think it was – yeah. I don’t know, I’m not even thinking about that right now. I’m focused on the job ahead. We can talk about that later.” pic.twitter.com/GU2S0vrVAs
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzellNBA) June 4, 2024
Porzingis’ impact extends beyond scoring. If Dallas changes their defensive approach, he can still create issues with pick-and-pop plays or by spacing the floor, pulling defenders away from the basket. Jaylen Brown emphasized the importance of Porzingis, noting that his presence adds another respected defender and shooter, which benefits the entire team. Porzingis’ ability to stretch the floor puts pressure on Dallas’ rim protectors like Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II. Matching up a big defender against Porzingis pulls them away from the rim, weakening their primary defensive strength. If they don’t, Boston gains a significant mismatch advantage.
Luka Doncic on why it didn’t work out between him and Kristaps Porzingis on the Dallas Mavericks
#MFFL @wfaa #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/iPUK3qOCU2
— Jonah Javad (@JonahJavad) June 5, 2024
This flexibility is how Boston overwhelms opponents. “We’re a good team when guys are down, but we’re really, really special when we have everybody,” Tatum said. With Porzingis back, the Celtics have a greater margin for error. They can endure third-quarter slumps without losing control of the game, as Porzingis’ presence challenges Dallas at its core. The Celtics’ complete performance in Game 1, bolstered by Porzingis’ return, showcases their potential to dominate, making them a formidable force as they continue their quest for the championship.
Key Points:
i. Celtics’ Vulnerability: Despite their dominance, the Boston Celtics often experience lapses, losing leads due to stagnant offense and poor spacing.
ii. Game 1 Dynamics: In Game 1 of the NBA Finals, the Celtics built a 29-point lead against the Mavericks, only to let it slip, but recovered to win 107-89 after Dallas pulled their starters.
iii. Porzingis’ Impact: Kristaps Porzingis, returning from a calf injury, was pivotal, scoring 20 points in 21 minutes and providing strong rebounding and rim protection.
iv. Mavericks’ Defensive Struggles: Dallas struggled defensively against Porzingis, who exploited mismatches and was highly efficient in the post, forcing the Mavericks to reconsider their defensive strategies.
v. Boston’s Versatility: Porzingis’ presence enhances Boston’s offensive and defensive options, making the Celtics more formidable and able to capitalize on mismatches and defensive rotations.
Susan Guglielmo – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
