Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks Game 1: NBA Finals 2024 Kickoff

You’ve been waiting all season for this moment. The 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks kicks off tonight in Game 1 at TD Garden. After a decade-long Finals drought, the Celtics are back on basketball’s biggest stage. Led by MVP candidate Jayson Tatum, this Celtics team has all the pieces for a championship run. But the Mavs and their superstar Luka Doncic stand in the way. Doncic has put together an incredible playoff performance, dominating opponents and hitting clutch shots. With Kristaps Porzingis returning from injury, the Mavs could be even more dangerous. Now it’s time to find out if Boston’s top-ranked defense can slow down the Doncic offensive freight train. Strap in for what should be an intense, high-level matchup between two elite teams. The road to the Larry O’Brien trophy starts tonight.

Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks Game 1: Setting the Stage

The stage is set for an epic NBA Finals showdown between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks. With the series tied at 0-0, both teams will be looking to gain an early advantage in Game 1 on Thursday night.

The Celtics swept their way into the Finals, dismantling the Indiana Pacers 4-0. Led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the C’s seem poised to capture their 18th championship. However, Luka Doncic and the Mavs have other plans. Despite being underdogs, Dallas believes their dynamic offense can overcome Boston’s stifling defense.

The Return of Porzingis

After missing nearly 40 days with a calf strain, Kristaps Porzingis is set to return for the Mavs in Game 1. His size and shooting ability provide a perfect complement to Doncic. While Porzingis may be rusty, his presence alone will force Boston to adjust their defensive strategy.

Home Court Advantage

The Celtics secured home court advantage by finishing with the best record in the East. TD Garden will be rocking for Game 1, giving Boston a boost. However, the Mavs have already won road games in Los Angeles, Denver and Phoenix this postseason. They won’t be intimidated by the hostile environment.

Coaching Chess Match

This series also pits two of the league’s best coaches against each other. Ime Udoka has revamped Boston’s defense in his first season, while Jason Kidd has maximized the potential of Dallas’ roster. Their ability to make adjustments and countermoves could determine the outcome of tight games down the stretch.

With so many storylines and stars on display, Game 1 of the NBA Finals should be a thriller. All eyes will be on the Celtics and Mavs to see who draws first blood in what promises to be an epic battle for the championship. The quest for the Larry O’Brien trophy starts now!

Key Storylines to Watch in NBA Finals Matchup

The Celtics blew out the Mavericks 107-89 in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, showcasing two of the league’s top teams and some intriguing storylines to follow as the series unfolds.

The Return of Porzingis

Kristaps Porzingis made his return from a calf injury in Game 1 and made an immediate impact, scoring 18 points and grabbing 7 rebounds. His size and skill add a new dimension to the Celtics offense. Will Porzingis stay healthy and continue to elevate Boston? His performance could determine the outcome of this series.

Young Stars Collide

This Finals features some of the NBA’s brightest young stars, including Luka Doncic, Jayson Tatum, and Jaylen Brown. Tatum and Brown led the Celtics in Game 1, combining for 42 points. Doncic struggled, shooting just 6-of-16, but he remains Dallas’ most dangerous player. Which of these stars will shine the brightest on the biggest stage? Their duel could be a decisive factor.

Familiar Foes

These teams have history, having met in the playoffs four times since 2015. There’s no love lost between the franchises or fanbases. Emotions are sure to run high, especially now that an NBA title is at stake. How will the bad blood and familiarity between the teams impact the on-court action? The extra intensity adds extra intrigue to an already compelling matchup.

Championship Pedigree

Both Boston and Dallas are seeking their first title in over a decade, but they remain two of the most successful franchises in NBA history, with 8 championships between them. There’s a lot of pride and legacy on the line. Which team has the mental fortitude and determination to grind out four wins and claim the crown of NBA champions? With a title in reach, the stakes couldn’t be higher for these storied franchises.

This NBA Finals features no shortage of storylines, from the return of Porzingis to the rivalry between the teams to a duel between young superstars. All roads lead to an intense, high-level series that should live up to the hype. Game 2 on Sunday promises more fireworks – and the emergence of new storylines – as the Celtics and Mavericks continue their quest for the championship.

With the Dallas Mavericks set to take on the Boston Celtics for the NBA title, here are some key storylines to watch.

Injury Updates: Porzingis Set to Return for Mavericks

After missing 10 games with a right calf strain, Kristaps Porzingis is finally set to return for the Mavericks in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Porzingis completed multiple scrimmages in the week leading up to the Finals and was medically cleared to play, providing a much-needed boost to the Mavericks.

Porzingis’ Impact

Porzingis plays a crucial role for the Mavericks, averaging over 20 points and 9 rebounds per game this season. His size and shooting ability create mismatches that open up the floor for Luka Doncic and the rest of the Mavericks’ shooters. The Mavericks went 6-4 in Porzingis’ absence, struggling at times without his scoring and rim protection. His return for the Finals could not come at a better time.

Minutes Restriction Likely

While Porzingis will suit up for Game 1, he will likely face a minutes restriction as he works his way back to full health and game shape. Coach Rick Carlisle will monitor how Porzingis’ calf responds and adjust his minutes accordingly for Game 2 and beyond. Even in limited minutes, Porzingis’ presence will help space the floor, and his length and defensive instincts will make scoring at the rim more difficult for Boston.

X-Factor

A healthy Porzingis could be the X-factor that swings the series in Dallas’ favor. If he can provide his usual offensive production without aggravating his calf injury, the Mavericks will have their full complement of weapons to match Boston’s dangerous offense. However, if Porzingis experiences a setback or his minutes are severely limited, it could hamper Dallas’ chances in the Finals. All eyes will be on Porzingis and how his calf holds up as this hard-fought series gets underway.

With their second star back in the lineup, the Mavericks seem poised to give the Celtics all they can handle. Porzingis’ return brings Dallas closer to full strength and gives them a real shot at upsetting the title favorites. Game 1 will reveal how much of an impact a limited Porzingis can have and set the tone for the rest of this riveting Finals.

How to Watch Celtics vs. Mavericks Game 1 Live Stream

On Cable or Satellite

If you have cable or satellite TV, ABC will broadcast Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Celtics and Mavericks. Tune in to ABC at 8:30 p.m. ET to catch all the action. ABC is available on all major cable and satellite TV providers like Xfinity, Spectrum, DIRECTV and Dish Network.

Streaming Options

Don’t have cable? Not a problem. There are several ways to stream the NBA Finals online.

Sling TV

Sling TV offers live TV streaming packages starting at $35 per month. ABC is included in the Sling Orange package, which you can get for 3 days free. After the trial, Sling Orange costs $35 per month.

FuboTV

FuboTV is a sports-focused streaming service that offers ABC and more than 100 other live TV channels. Packages start at $64.99 per month. FuboTV offers a free 7-day trial so you can watch the NBA Finals for free before committing to a subscription.

ESPN App

You can also stream the NBA Finals on the ESPN app or ESPN.com by authenticating with your cable provider credentials. As long as you have a cable or streaming package that includes ABC, you can use the ESPN app to watch the Finals at no extra cost.

AT&T TV Now

AT&T TV Now (formerly DIRECTV NOW) offers live TV streaming packages that include ABC. Packages start at $69.99 per month. New subscribers can sign up for a free trial before paying for a subscription.

YouTube TV

YouTube TV offers live TV streaming for $64.99 per month. ABC and ESPN are included in the YouTube TV channel lineup. New members can try YouTube TV for free with a 5-day trial.

On the Go

If you can’t watch the NBA Finals in front of a TV, you have options to stream the games on mobile devices like your phone, tablet or laptop. The ABC app, WatchESPN app and TV network apps will allow you to watch the Finals live wherever you are.

Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks Game 1 FAQs

The Boston Celtics took Game 1 of the NBA Finals, beating the Dallas Mavericks 107-89. Some of the biggest questions heading into the matchup were answered, while new ones emerged. Let’s break down the key details from the opener.

How did the Celtics win so handily?

The Celtics got major contributions from Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis, who returned from injury. Brown had a game-high 31 points, while Porzingis added 18 points and 12 rebounds. The Mavericks had no answer for the Celtics’ balanced attack. In contrast, Luka Doncic struggled, shooting just 6-of-19 from the field. When your star player has an off night in the Finals, it’s hard to keep up.

Is Porzingis back to full strength?

Porzingis showed little rust in his first game back, playing 34 minutes. While he wasn’t as explosive as usual, he was effective, especially in the first half. The Celtics will monitor his minutes, but having him at close to full capacity is huge. His ability to space the floor, rebound and defend makes Boston’s offense and defense that much better.

What adjustments will the Mavericks make for Game 2?

The Mavericks will need to find ways to get Doncic better looks and make shots. They shot just 39.5% from the field and 28.6% from three, well below their season averages. Expect coach Jason Kidd to draw up some new plays to spring Doncic free and get others, like Jalen Brunson and Dorian Finney-Smith, more involved. Defensively, they’ll have to do a better job containing Brown and the Celtics’ pick and roll. If not, they’ll head home down 2-0.

The defending champion Celtics drew first blood, but the Mavericks are too good to go down without a fight. Game 2 will be a chance for both teams to build on what they learned, with the series still very much up for grabs. The Finals are just getting started.

Conclusion

Well, folks, that wraps up this wild Game 1! The Celtics came out swinging and landed the first punch with a serious knockout blow. Even with Porzingis back for the Mavs, the men in green were just too much to handle tonight. Between the roaring TD Garden crowd and Boston’s smothering defense, Dallas seemed overwhelmed from the jump. Luka tried to work his magic, but Tatum and co. had an answer for everything. The C’s made a real statement – this is their house, and they aren’t messing around.

Game 2 is gonna be a must-see after this beatdown. Can Doncic and the Mavs bounce back to even the series, or will the Celtics keep rolling all the way to Banner 18? No matter what happens, this Finals matchup is already living up to the hype. Strap in for what should be an instant classic of a series!