Celtics beat writer Jay King and Mavericks beat writer Tim Cato discuss Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Topics include Celtics dominating Mavericks, taking away 3s and lobs, Kyrie Irving's shooting slump, Jalen Brown's impact, player performances, adjustments for Game 2, and BedMGM partnership promotion.
Christops Porzingis demonstrated versatility with 20 points in 13 minutes.
Celtics limited Mavericks' corner 3s with effective defensive tactics.
Deep dives
Chris F. Sporzingis Dominates in Playoffs Debut
In the playoff game against the Boston Celtics, Christops Porzingis made a significant impact, scoring 20 points coming off the bench and showcasing impressive skills. Despite initial concerns about his health, he proved his prowess by playing dominantly on both ends of the court. Porzingis demonstrated versatility, scoring in the post, hitting threes, and showcasing his agility with dunks, all within 13 minutes of gameplay.
Kyrie Irving's Inefficiency in Game One
Kyrie Irving struggled in game one against the Mavericks, scoring 12 points on 19 shots and facing challenges with his shooting efficiency. Despite the crowd's impact and the pressure of the game, Irving faced difficulties finding his rhythm and missed critical shots. While acknowledging it as a subpar performance, there is room for improvement in subsequent games to showcase his true prowess and contribute effectively to the team.
Defensive Tactics and Adjustments for Game Two
The Celtics effectively employed defensive tactics in game one, limiting corner threes and disrupting the Mavericks' offensive rhythm. By prioritizing defensive strategies such as tight perimeter defense and careful shot selection, Boston managed to stifle Dallas's scoring opportunities. Looking ahead, both teams need to make adjustments, with Dallas focusing on reducing three-point attempts and improving offensive cohesion, while Boston aims to maintain their defensive prowess and strategic gameplay to secure future victories in the series.
Andrew Schlecht is joined by Celtics beat writer Jay King and Mavericks beat writer Tim Cato to discuss Game 1 of the NBA Finals. How did the Celtics dominate the Mavericks? How did they take away the corner 3s and lobs from the Mavericks? We discuss all this and more on today's episode.