Celtics Rout Mavericks to Take 1-0 Lead in Finals

Celtics Dominate from Start to Finish

The Boston Celtics sent a resounding message in Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals, crushing the Dallas Mavericks 107-89 to take an early 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Jayson Tatum led the way with 32 points, while Jaylen Brown added 22 and Kristaps Porzingis chipped in 20 in his return from injury.

Celtics Overwhelm Mavericks from Behind the Arc

The Celtics' victory was fueled by their dominance from behind the 3-point line. They knocked down 16-of-42 from deep, compared to just 7-of-27 for the Mavericks. Porzingis, making his first appearance in over a month, connected on 4-of-8 from long range.

Mavericks Struggle to Keep Pace

The Mavericks had no answer for the Celtics' offensive onslaught. Luka Dončić, who led the Mavericks with 24 points, was constantly under pressure from the Celtics' defense. The Mavericks also struggled to find any rhythm on the offensive end, shooting just 38.1% from the field.

Celtics Take Control Early

The Celtics seized control of the game early, outscoring the Mavericks 44-16 in the second quarter to build a 29-point lead. The Mavericks briefly narrowed the gap in the third quarter, but the Celtics quickly regained control and never looked back.

Game 2 on Saturday

Game 2 of the NBA Finals is set for Saturday at 8:30 PM ET from TD Garden in Boston. The Celtics will look to extend their lead in the series, while the Mavericks will aim to bounce back and tie things up.