The 2024 NBA Finals is set to feature the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks. It projects to be one of the most exciting NBA Finals in recent memory, featuring no shortage of underlying storylines. Boston is the favorite, but Dallas has consistently found a way to upset the odds throughout the postseason thus far.
So will the Mavs pull off one more upset and earn the franchise's first championship since 2011? Here are four reasons why the Mavericks are in a great position to defeat the Celtics in the NBA Finals.
Dereck Lively II-Daniel Gafford duo
Lively and Gafford quietly emerged as one of the better center duos in the NBA during the regular season. They have begun to receive far more attention so far in the postseason.
Lively missed Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, and that also happened to be the only contest Dallas lost against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the series.
Gafford and PJ Washington were both acquired ahead of the 2023-24 NBA trade deadline. Dallas had gone 29-24 without Gafford to begin the campaign, but they went 21-8 with Gafford after acquiring him.
The Mavs went 35-20 in games that Lively played. Without the rookie center, though, Dallas went just 15-12 during the season.
Both centers have continued to make crucial impacts in the postseason. They are both able to protect the basket and contribute in the rebounding department at high levels. Additionally, they rarely miss from the field and are exceptional at finishing on lobs. The Mavs big men will give the Celtics trouble.
Mavericks closers
Having Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving on the same roster is the equivalent of having two of the best baseball closers of all-time available in the same bullpen. Luka and Kyrie seem to get even better under the bright lights.
The Mavs have the most clutch-time wins so far during the 2023-24 postseason. Dallas plays many competitive games. Doncic and Irving always seem to keep the Mavericks in contests, even when an opposing team jumps out to a big lead. Dallas' resiliency and ability to climb back will catch Boston's attention.
Of course, Celtics stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are more than capable of taking care of business in the big moments. But when it comes down to Luka and Kyrie vs. Tatum and Brown, well, I'd say the Mavs duo is more reliable.
Who will guard Luka Doncic?
Shaquille O'Neal made an interesting point while speaking on TNT's Inside the NBA after the Mavericks defeated the Timberwolves in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals on Thursday. Shaq wondered who will guard Doncic. The Celtics seemingly don't have a perfect answer.
“The Celtics do not have three or four guys that can guard Luka,” Shaq said. “I like Dallas in this series… This is like my first time seeing him (Doncic) a lot. Big body, bigger than I thought he was. Stronger than I thought he was. Once he gets you on the side, sort of like a big man, he does whatever he wants. Plays with poise and he can't be shook. The fact that he's been a professional player since he was 13 years old, nothing shakes him. I don't see anybody on Boston dealing with that.
“Maybe (Jayson) Tatum but if I'm Boston I don't want to get Tatum or (Jaylen) Brown into foul trouble. I think the other guys too, you know Jrue Holiday is too little in my opinion.”
Luka and Kyrie are both especially difficult to guard. However, finding someone who is able to guard Doncic on the perimeter while still dealing with his size and strength is an immense challenge. Luka can also defeat you in the paint with his step-back and ability to finish at the basket.
The Celtics' defensive strategy against Doncic will be interesting. If they opt to double-team him, then you run the risk of Irving getting an open shot or lane to the basket. Double-teaming both players would lead to open baskets for other players such as PJ Washington and Derrick Jones Jr.
The Celtics will certainly have questions to answer from a defensive standpoint against the Mavericks.
Mavs excel as underdogs
As mentioned earlier, Dallas continues to upset the odds. They have been underdogs for the most part throughout the NBA playoffs. Dallas entered the postseason as a No. 5 seed, and they have defeated the No. 1, No. 3, and No. 4 seeds so far.
Now they will need to upset another No. 1 seed in order to clinch an NBA championship. And knowing this specific team, they will certainly embrace the challenge.
My NBA Finals prediction is that the Dallas Mavericks will upset the Boston Celtics and win in six games.
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