The Boston Celtics made a statement in Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals, dominating the Dallas Mavericks 107-89 at TD Garden on Thursday night. From the first quarter on, Boston controlled the tempo with swarming defense and balanced offense, putting Luka Dončić and the Mavericks on their heels. It’s a strong start for a Celtics team hunting for their 18th championship banner—and the franchise’s first since 2008.
Game / News Breakdown
Game 1 was all about Boston setting the tone early. The Celtics came out aggressive on both sides of the ball, jumping to a 17-point lead in the first quarter. Their physical defense disrupted Dallas’ rhythm, forcing tough shots and containing drives to the rim.
Boston’s defensive intensity was the story of the night. They held the Mavericks to just 89 points—tied for their lowest scoring output this postseason. Dallas struggled to generate clean looks, especially from beyond the arc, shooting only 25% (7-of-28) from deep.
Offensively, Boston shared the ball and made high-percentage plays. Five players scored in double figures, and the Celtics finished with 23 assists compared to just nine turnovers. Their ability to spread the floor and find open shooters forced Dallas into constant defensive adjustments.
Dallas briefly cut the deficit to single digits in the third quarter, but Boston responded immediately with a 14-0 run that essentially sealed the game. The Celtics led by as many as 29 points late in the fourth quarter.
Key Players & Performances
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown led the way for the Celtics, but it was a complete team effort up and down the roster.
– **Jaylen Brown**: Posted 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals. He was aggressive attacking the paint and anchored several strong defensive possessions.
– **Kristaps Porziņģis**: In his return from a month-long absence (calf injury), Porziņģis came off the bench and gave Boston a massive boost. He scored 20 points in just 21 minutes and added 3 blocks. His stretch shooting pulled Dallas bigs away from the basket.
– **Jayson Tatum**: Finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Though not his most efficient night (6-of-16 shooting), Tatum impacted the game with his rebounding and defensive presence.
– **Derrick White & Jrue Holiday**: Combined for 28 points and excellent perimeter defense. Holiday in particular was instrumental in pestering Dončić throughout the night.
For Dallas, Luka Dončić led all scorers with 30 points, but it wasn’t enough.
– **Luka Dončić**: Scored 30 points on 12-of-26 shooting. He also grabbed 10 rebounds but managed just one assist—a sign of Boston’s tight off-ball coverage.
– **Kyrie Irving**: Struggled mightily, shooting 6-of-19 and scoring 12 points. With the Celtics keying in on him, Irving couldn’t find much rhythm and had limited impact.
– **Bench production**: Limited impact for Dallas’ second unit, combining for just 19 points.
Team Impact & Standings
With the win, the Celtics take a 1-0 series lead in the NBA Finals and retain home-court advantage. It’s Boston’s 8th straight win in the postseason and a continuation of their dominant playoff run—they’ve now gone 13-2 this postseason.
Boston is showing why they were the league’s top team during the regular season (64-18). Their defensive versatility and deep rotation are clear advantages in this series.
For Dallas, the loss is a wake-up call. The Mavericks entered Game 1 riding high after defeating Minnesota in the Western Conference Finals, but they’ll need to regroup quickly and find offensive solutions against Boston’s swarming defense.
What’s Next
Looking ahead to Game 2 on Sunday night, the pressure shifts to Dallas to make adjustments:
– **More ball movement**: The Mavericks recorded just 9 assists in Game 1—their lowest of the season. To challenge Boston’s defense, they’ll need quicker passes and more off-ball movement.
– **Supporting cast**: Dončić can’t do it alone. Dallas needs stronger contributions from players like P.J. Washington, Josh Green, and Tim Hardaway Jr.
– **Defensive tweaks**: The Mavs struggled to guard Boston’s five-out spacing. Expect Jason Kidd to experiment with more switching or zone looks in Game 2.
For the Celtics, Game 2 offers a chance to continue their momentum and tighten their grip on the series. Health permitting, Porziņģis’ reintegration adds another dynamic threat that Dallas has to account for.
Conclusion
The Celtics couldn’t have scripted a better start to the NBA Finals. With stifling defense and balanced scoring, they sent a clear message to the Mavericks: this is their house. For Dallas, it’s time to regroup, refocus, and find a way to match Boston’s intensity—or risk falling into a hole that’s historically tough to climb out of.
Game 2 tips off Sunday at 8:00 PM ET from TD Garden.