BOSTON – The Mavericks and Celtics are the last teams standing in the 2023-24 NBA season.
They have been clearly the best team from their respective conferences. Now, we get to see them go against each other with the world watching.
“It’s going to be a dogfight,” Mavericks’ forward P.J. Washington said. “We’re playing for all the marbles. This is everybody’s goal. Everybody’s going to play hard every possession. I just can’t wait.”
Neither can the fans.
So to get you prepared, here’s a player-by-player breakdown with unbiased and unstupid commentary on the matchups from superstars to the bench.
Luka Dončić vs. Jayson Tatum
As adored as Luka is in Dallas, Tatum is every bit the darling of Boston these days. He has been
scrutinized through the years. And even during these playoffs. But he’s proven to be a quality leader and one of the best overall players in the NBA. In this particular instance, however, it’s no insult to be second-best. Dončić has averaged 28.8 points, 9.6 rebounds and 8.8 assists per game in the playoffs. Tatum’s numbers: 26, 10.4, 5.9. Neither player has shot it great. Tatum is at 29 percent from three-point range in the playoffs, Luka at 34.3 percent. But we all know there are hot streaks out there waiting for both players. It will be a fascinating matchup, even though they will never guard each other. We’ll take Luka, but not by a landslide.
Kyrie Irving vs. Jaylen Brown
They are two of the best sidekicks in the NBA. Maybe THE best. Irving has been nothing short
of phenomenal when it comes to sharing the stage with Luka. Usually, it’ Irving that defers early and rolls late. But not always. And it doesn’t matter what time of game it is, he’s been sizzling from distance, hitting better than 42 percent from long range. Brown is averaging 25 points in the playoffs (compared to 22.8 for Irving) and shooting almost 37 percent from three-point land. He singlehandedly carried the Celtics to a Game 2 win in the conference finals against Indiana when he piled up 40 points. That kind of offensive eruptions happens on occasion for Brown. But not as often as it happens from Irving.
P.J. Washington vs. Jrue Holiday
Holiday will have one of the most important jobs on the court. He’s going to be responsible for
guarding Dončić much of the time. Luka called Holiday one of his three toughest one-on-one defenders before the second-round series against Oklahoma City, when he included Lu Dort and Derrick Jones Jr. in his top three. He said Holiday was “for sure” in the top three. So we’ll find out how he does against the Mavericks’ superstar point guard. Offensively, P.J. Washington will be counted on to hit corner threes, but he too is more crucial as a defender. He will be going against either Tatum or Brown, so look for fireworks from those guys. Slight edge to Holiday.
Derrick Jones Jr. vs. Derrick White
The battle of the Derricks is going to be fascinating White has been one of the biggest X-factors
for the Celtics all through the playoffs. He’s the third-leading scorer at 17.8 per game and has added more than four rebounds and assists, too. He’s been really good. Probably better than being called an X-factor. Jones simply does the job nobody else really wants to do: guard the other team’s best player. But he’s also been a dynamite corner three-point shooter and you can count on him for at least one highlight-reel rim attack during this series. But White has the big advantage when it comes to the Derricks.
Daniel Gafford vs. Kristaps Porzingis
The biggest question in this matchup of centers in the health of Porzingis. He missed the last
two series with a calf strain. He hasn’t played since April 29. He confirmed on Wednesday that he will play in Game 1. How effective he is will go a long way toward determining how this series goes. Gafford has been more of a two-headed monster with Dereck Lively II and combined, their numbers are more than acceptable. But Porzingis brings a different sort of dynamic to the Celtics. He’s a three-point shooter who can also protect the rim and score in the paint. It’s not a stretch to say his play will be the most important part of the Celtics in this series and he gets the edge here.
Mavs’ reserves vs. Celtics’ reserves
Lively, Maxi Kleber, Josh Green, Jaden Hardy and perhaps Dante Exum and Tim Hardaway Jr.
vs. Al Horford, Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser and Luke Kornet. These are not the strongest benches in the NBA, but with the extended timeouts and usually two days off between games, the bench doesn’t have to be deep. It just needs to be effective. Lively has been sensational in his rookie season. Kleber has returned from his shoulder injury and said Wednesday he’s feeling better than he did in the Minnesota series. Hardy has been an offensive force. The Celtics get great production from the veteran center Horford, who has stretch his game out and Pritchard is a strong-willed guard who isn’t afraid to take on any challenge. Very evenly matched benches.
Botttom line
We fully believe this is going to go the distance. Neither of these teams has been pushed to the limit in the playoffs. That will change here. The one thing that the Mavericks have going for them is supreme confidence, poise and calmness on the road. That’s going to earn them at least two victories in Boston. And the NBA championship. MAVERICKS IN SEVEN.
X: @ESefko
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