NBA scamming us again. How the fuck did Jayson Tatum only scored 16 points in 42 minutes of playing time, while KP played 20 minutes and scored 20+ points? 6/16 for Jayson Tatum. This is unbelievable. If he will keep playing like this he won't win NBA Finals this year. Brown or Holiday will make it. Worst night for Kyrie Irving too 37 mins for 12 points. 🤧
A very bad night for Kyrie Irving but we all saw how these guys could bounce cback, it's actually more scary.
I think the key to winning for the Celtics was shutting down Luka Doncic's passing ability. He still scored 30 points but only made 1 assist. Then, the defensive awareness of the Celtics against an offensive team like the Mavs was also showcased tonight. I thought it would become Lob City but it seems like Luka forgot that he has centers that always look above the rim as he throws it up but I only saw him try it once. Horford is too small for Gafford and Lively, even KP will have a hard time against them.
But all credit to JB's defense. I think he got 2 or 3 blocks and steals too. One of them will go to the highlights after he blocked the dunk attempt of the former dunk champion Derrick Jones Jr.
It's their defense that really killed the Mavs in this game, they've force turn-overs, and they challenge every one when they penetrate the inside. And then the cool KP, just smiling when hitting those outside 3 as if challenging the Mavs to guard him.
Luka can't lob the pass because the Celtics is guarding the rim, and if I'm not mistaken, Luka try it but Brown was their to block it or change the course of the shot of either Gafford or Lively. So let's see how the Mavs are going to adjust in the second game. They don't want to go 0-2 against the Celtics.
Good preparation for the Celtics as they dominated the Mavs in the early stretch and continue maintaining that confidence, they manage to outrun the Dallas in both ends, and yeah, it's the good defense that gives them that edge, they manage to limit the rotation of Mavs and force them to go one on one, though Luka still got his numbers but without the good support from the entire squad he can't carry the very balance productions of Celtics, both cores and the support cast are really bringing the help and it's tough to beat the kind of squad that's played with a great blend and chemistries.
I want Jayson Tatum to win the MVP if Boston wins the championships but it's more like Brown or who knows even Porzingis and Holiday can win it too. Tatum playing 42 minutes looks like people wanted him to win the MVP. While Brown and Porzingis already went out of the game earlier. But I am seeing Brown and some of the players more confident than Tatum. I want Tatum to keep driving inside and just make assists or fouls.
Anyways, what a game. I expected a blowout win by the Celtics and it happened. I just did not expect Porzingis to be that deadly on his first return after months of inactivity.
Brown has a terrific game again, not just in offense, but playing defense against Luka and had couple of blocks if I'm not mistaken. And he has that momentum from being the Eastern conference finals MVP, and so it will carry him over this series and maybe if he is consistent, maybe he will won the Finals MVP.
I don't think the KP will win the MVP here, yeah just a good game in his comeback, but for sure the Mavs might have to change on how they are going to guard him and maybe put Gafford and not allow a switch as he had that in this game and have a smaller player on him and so easy mid range jumper or a three from 30 feet.
Both Brown and KP got very decent productions and not just for the offense but also with their defense, Brown still have that MVP performance and if he continue doing that same momentum more likely he can also win the final MVP, though it's only the first game and for sure Mavs will find ways to adjust and counter the system of Boston, let see if how they'll going to adjust and how they will try to snatch a game inside the Garden.