The 2024 NBA Finals are set to begin this Thursday night, pitting the Boston Celtics against the Dallas Mavericks.
With Boston favored to win, many experts believe the series will be much closer than expected. Here are five bold predictions that could shake up the Finals and lead to an unforgettable conclusion.
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Luka Doncic’s scoring spree
Luka Doncic is set to make history in this series. Only nine players have ever averaged at least 35 points per game in the NBA Finals, including legends like Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal. Doncic will join this elite group. Throughout his career, Luka has only surpassed this average in a single playoff series once, but the Mavericks will need his scoring prowess to contend with Boston. Despite Boston’s strong defense, Doncic’s performance against Minnesota, a team known for its athletic defenders, showed he can dismantle any strategy thrown at him.
Nail-bitingly close series
This series will be one for the history books in terms of how tightly contested it is. Out of 76 NBA Finals, only about a third have ended with a point differential under 20 points. This series will add to that number, possibly even with the team losing the overall point battle still taking home the championship. Historically, this has happened 11 times, the most recent being the 2012-13 Miami Heat. Expect every game to be fiercely competitive, with the series’ winner potentially losing the overall scoring margin.
Clutch performances abound
Expect at least six games to be decided in the final minutes. Defined as being within five points in the last five minutes, clutch games will be a staple of this series. Both the Celtics and Mavericks are no strangers to high-pressure situations. In the past 25 years, only three Finals have featured both teams playing at least three clutch games in the conference finals. This trend will continue, with Doncic and Irving’s incredible late-game performances giving Dallas a crucial edge.
Kristaps porzingis’ impact
Kristaps Porzingis will be a key figure in the Finals, marking his return from a calf injury. His role will be pivotal for Boston, both offensively and defensively. His ability to stretch the floor and protect the rim will challenge Dallas. However, the Mavericks will likely target him defensively, forcing him into difficult matchups. How Porzingis handles these situations will be a significant storyline, potentially swinging the momentum in either direction.
Historic upset in the making
A Mavericks victory would be a monumental upset, considering the historical context. Bill Simmons noted that out of 15 teams entering the Finals with 20 or fewer losses in the regular and postseason combined, 14 have won the title. The only exception was the 2016 Cavaliers against the 73-win Warriors. Boston is the 16th team to fit this category, setting the stage for Dallas to pull off an extraordinary feat. Additionally, only one team seeded lower than fourth has ever won the championship, making a fifth-seeded Mavericks win even more remarkable.
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This article explores five bold predictions for the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks. From Luka Doncic’s historic scoring potential to a series filled with clutch performances and the significant impact of Kristaps Porzingis, this showdown promises to be a classic. The possibility of a historic upset adds an extra layer of intrigue, making this series one to watch closely.
