BOSTON Celtics smothered Dallas Mavericks from start to finish for a dominant 107-89 win in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night (Friday in the Philippines) at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.
Jaylen Brown spearheaded the offense with 22 points, while Kristaps Porzingis marked his return with 20 points, six rebounds, and three blocks as the Celtics took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven title series.
Jayson Tatum tallied 16 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists, Derrick White contributed 15 points, while Jrue Holiday and Al Horford ended up with 12 and 10 points, respectively, for the Celtics.
From a seesaw battle early in the opening quarter, the Celtics went on a huge tear behind three-pointers from Tatum, Porzingis, and Sam Hauser to build a 37-20 edge.
Boston went on with its rampage in the second quarter behind Porzingis and Brown as the lead reached as high as 29 points before Dallas responded with a late run to cut the deficit to 42-63 at the half.
The Mavericks rode on that momentum early in the third as they threatened to within 64-72 but the Celtics had quick answers from Brown, Tatum, and Horford to pull away anew at 86-66.
Dallas still attempted to make a last run in the fourth quarter at 71-88, but Boston responded with connections from Holiday, Tatum, and Brown to increase the lead to 100-75.
âI thought their decision making helped control the game, especially when (the Mavericks) went on that run (in the third quarter),” said Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla.
“Just sticking to the gameplan. Gameplan execution is important. Knowing what you have to take away on each possession,” added the second-year Boston mentor.
Luka Doncic finished with a double-double of 30 points and 10 rebounds, P.J. Washington added 14 markers, while Jaden Hardy and Kyrie Irving endrd with 13 and 12 points, respectively, for Dallas./PN
BOX SCORE:
BOSTON 107 — Brown 22, Porzingis 20, Tatum 16, White 15, Holiday 12, Horford 10, Hauser 8, Mykhailiuk 2, Kornet 2, Pritchard 0, Brissett 0.
DALLAS 89 — Doncic 30, Washington 14, Hardy 13, Irving 12, Gafford 8, Jones 5, Green 3, Kleber 2, Lively 2, Hardaway 0, Exum 0, Powell 0.
Quarterscores: 37-20, 63-42, 86-66, 107-89.
