The NBA Finals begin on Friday morning AEST as the Boston Celtics face the Dallas Mavericks for the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Boston’s place in the seven-game title series comes as no surprise. They were dominant throughout the regular season before cruising through the Eastern Conference in the post-season as the clear number one contender, aided by the fact most of their playoffs rivals were missing stars through injury (the Heat missed Jimmy Butler for the whole series, the Cavaliers lost Donovan Mitchell two games, and it was the same story with Tyrese Haliburton for the Pacers).
Get on Board the NBA Finals | Dallas Mavericks v Boston Celtics | Every game of the NBA Finals LIVE on ESPN, available via Kayo. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >
Celtics sweep Pacers to reach NBA Finals | 01:17
The Mavericks, on the other hand, have enjoyed a remarkable rise after tanking last season to miss the play-in tournament. They had already made a high-risk play, trading for Kyrie Irving at the trade deadline last year. But that move has paid off in brilliant fashion, with Irving proving an excellent foil for superstar Luka Doncic, while tanking saw them able to draft rookie standout Dereck Lively II. Add to that their trade deadline signings of Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington, and the Mavericks shook off a tepid start to the year to surge into the playoffs – and all the way to the final two.
The fifth seeds had a much tougher journey to the Finals, battling past the Clippers, Thunder and Timberwolves in the Western Conference, though they could count themselves lucky that they didn’t have to face the Denver Nuggets. Even though the Timberwolves beat the reigning champion Nuggets, the series clearly took a toll on Minnesota and helped the Mavs into their first NBA Finals since 2011 – the year they won their only title. Funnily enough, Dallas head coach Jason Kidd played in that title-winning team. He’s hoping to make it two for the Mavs – and deny Boston a first crown since 2008.
MORE COVERAGE
How ‘high risk’ trade gamble and shameless $750k move sparked stunning NBA Finals charge
The ‘big summer’ and ‘risk’ behind Aussies’ remarkable rise from career ‘crossroads’ to NBA Finals
‘Whole new level’: NBA great signs on for NBL role that could ’shape future of basketball’
THE KEY BATTLE
Tactically, there’s a key difference between the two sides. The Celtics are all about the three-pointers, while the Mavs rely on the ball-handling and playmaking of superstar duo Doncic and Irving. How the two coaches approach the series – and mix things up between games – looks set to be a fascinating strategic tale.
But the big clash in everyone’s eyes is between the dominant duos on both sides.
Doncic and Irving, the unique pairing of players who both love the ball and are used to running the show. Few thought the Mavs would be able to get them to work together. So far this off-season, they’ve exceeded all expectations – and on both ends of the court. Slovenian point guard Doncic has been the clear standout all playoffs, averaging 28.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game. Yet Irving has stood up whenever Doncic needed a break, the perfect co-star.
For Boston, success is all about Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. They’ve been here before, making the Finals in 2021 – when they had a golden chance to win before the Warriors’ experience shone through. Tatum in particular had a howler in Game Six of that series and will be out to make amends. The pair have been excellent in the postseason, with Brown winning the Eastern Conference Finals MVP – despite Tatum leading the way in most of the key statistics. The pair have guided the Celtics deep into the playoffs time and again. But there remain questions over their ability to win the big one, with the duo’s legacy well and truly at stake.
Either way, it’s poised to be a stunning Finals series – and Aussie fans have two players to cheer on, with Dante Exum and Josh Green both role players for the Mavericks.
FINALS SCHEDULE
Game 1 (in Boston): Friday 7 June, 10.30am
Game 2 (Boston): Monday 10 June, 10am
Game 3 (Dallas): Thursday 13 June, 10.30am
Game 4 (Dallas): Saturday 15 June, 10.30am
If required:
Game 5 (Boston): Tuesday 18 June, 10.30am
Game 6 (Dallas): Friday 21 June, 10.30am
Game 7 (Boston): Monday 24 June, 10.00am.
Get on Board the NBA Finals | Dallas Mavericks v Boston Celtics | Every game of the NBA Finals LIVE on ESPN, available via Kayo. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >