The Boston Celtics put on an excellent defensive display in their Game 1 win in the 2024 NBA Finals on Thursday, as they held the Dallas Mavericks to only 89 points while scoring 107 on the other end.
The Boston Celtics employed a unique strategy by letting Luka Doncic score while stopping everyone else, as they mostly switched on the pick-and-rolls rather than helping off the other Dallas Mavericks players and giving him passing lanes for lobs and open threes.
Luka Doncic only had one assist in the game, a career playoff low, while his co-star Kyrie Irving was held to only 12 points on 6-of-19 shooting from the field. Overall, the Dallas Mavericks had just nine assists, while the Boston Celtics had 23.
In addition, the Boston Celtics held the Dallas Mavericks to 41.7 percent shooting from the field and 25.9 percent from three-point range (7-of-27).
“We’ve got to move the ball,” Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said via ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. “The ball just stuck too much, and we’ll be better in Game 2.”
Boston Celtics need to be ready for the Dallas Mavericks’ adjustments, per Danny Green
Three-time NBA champion Danny Green appeared on The Draymond Green Show to discuss the Boston Celtics’ Game 1 win over the Dallas Mavericks. While he complimented them for taking a 1-0 series lead, he warned that Boston shouldn’t be too confident heading into Game 2.
“It was a hell of a win for them, but Dallas found some things,” Danny Green said. “I wouldn’t be too confident after watching tonight’s game. Ky (Kyrie Irving) didn’t have a great game. And I don’t think the energy, (Kristaps) Porzingis is going to be able to sustain that.”
“I don’t think it’s (make Luka Doncic beat us strategy) gonna work. Jaylen Brown played great defense early. Al Horford even contested, and blocked a shot or two. That’s not gonna be sustainable for a seven-game series,” he added.
Shutting down both Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving remains a tall order for the Boston Celtics, but they will try their best on Sunday, where they’ll have an opportunity to go up 2-0 in the Finals.
