In the first game of the NBA Finals, the Celtics defeated the Mavericks 107-89.
In game one of the NBA Finals on Thursday, the Boston Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks 107-89 thanks to a masterful performance by Kristaps Porzingis, who returned from injury. The Celtics also dominated on both sides of the court.
In front of an enthusiastic home crowd, Porzingis made an instant impression after missing ten games due to a right calf strain sustained during the first round of the playoffs. The Celtics took a 29-point lead in the first half and then stopped the Mavericks’ comeback in the third quarter to take control of the best-of-seven championship series.
With three rebounds, two huge blocks, and 11 points after coming off the bench against his old team, Porzingis helped Boston take a quick 37-20 lead at the half.
The Celtics started to establish themselves after eight lead changes in less than six minutes. They pulled away with seven three-pointers in the first quarter alone and continued to play at a relentless pace as the Mavs were unable to get their offense going.
After 42 attempts, Boston finished with 16 three-pointers. Out of the six Celtics players who scored in double figures, Jaylen Brown led the team with 22 points.
Jayson Tatum ended with 16 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists, while Porzingis finished with 20 points.
Doncic earns 30 points.
Kyrie Irving was only able to score 12 points on six of 19 shots, while Dallas standout Luka Doncic scored 30 points and pulled down ten rebounds.
The Mavs were able to cut the lead to eight points in the third quarter despite his problems, but the Celtics were able to gain ground again.
“It’s a run-based game,” Tatum declared. “These are the NBA Finals; they won’t be easily eliminated. All we had to do was reply, and we performed that task admirably.
Doncic, who has been playing despite discomfort in his left ankle and a right knee issue, had trouble finding his shooting form. In the second quarter, he quickened his pace, but Dallas was unable to stop the Celtics, who extended their lead to 29 points, 58-29, after Tatum’s three-pointer with 4:11 remaining in the first half.
That completed a 14-4 scoring run that included a Brown driving slam and steal.
TD Garden was electrified by the Celtics’ early charge, with stars from the sports world in attendance, including Pep Guardiola of Manchester City.
On a night when both teams honored the late Bill Walton, the legendary player for the Boston Celtics who passed away in May at the age of 71 following a battle with cancer, actor Mark Wahlberg and his brother Donnie were present.
Dallas pushed early in the third quarter as the Celtics cooled off from three-point range and Dallas got hotter.
With 4:28 remaining in the quarter, Doncic made a three-pointer to trim the score to 72-64.
Boston had the solution, as Porzingis’ cutting dunk set up a 14-0 scoring run that included a block by Brown on Irving and a denial of Derrick Jones Jr. at the rim.
Doncic scored ten points in the third quarter, but the Celtics led 86-66 going into the fourth quarter thanks to three-pointers from Tatum, Al Horford, and Brown.
When Boston hosts game two of the NBA Finals on Sunday, they will aim to extend their lead.
