The Dallas Mavericks are making their first Finals appearance since Dirk Nowitzki led them to victory in 2011. Despite their journey back to the championship stage, NBA analyst warns of grim prospects for the Mavericks against the Boston Celtics.
Kenny Smith, a TNT analyst and former member of the Rockets squad, shared a pessimistic forecast for the Mavericks ahead of Game 1 of the Finals. He believes the Boston Celtics possess all the necessary elements to clinch the championship this year, making them the favored team in the series.
According to the “Inside the NBA” host, the Celtics boast a superior roster compared to Dallas due to having five stars or near-stars in Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, and Kristaps Porzingis. Smith emphasized that a team with a “fifth-best” player as talented as Porzingis, who can often surpass the best player on weaker teams, should be favored to win it all. However, the Mavericks find solace in having arguably the best player in the series, Luka Doncic, whose accolades surpass those of Jayson Tatum, despite Tatum’s contributions to three consecutive conference finals appearances for the Celtics.
“Luka Magic” brings invaluable experience from clinching the 2018 EuroLeague Championship with Real Madrid at just 19 years old, showcasing his prowess in high-pressure contests. Additionally, the Mavericks boast Kyrie Irving, a seasoned player appearing in his fourth NBA Finals, and possess a deeper bench capable of outperforming the Celtics.
While Boston may appear more top-heavy, Dallas’ reserves have demonstrated superior statistics in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks throughout the 2024 NBA Playoffs. Despite losing Game 1, Mavericks fans need not worry, as they’ve bounced back from series openers against the LA Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder in previous rounds.
The key to overcoming Boston has emerged, with P.J. Washington stepping up as an X-factor and potentially evolving into the Mavericks’ third star in the making. Keep following for updates on the Dallas Mavericks’ quest for the title.
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