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The Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics are meeting for the first time in the NBA Finals on Thursday night. The Celtics, very used to being here, will be playing in their 23rd NBA Finals. Juxtaposed to the Mavericks’, who have only been to the championship round a total of three times.

In an era where parity is at an all time high, this finals matchup will be rather intriguing. Both teams deserve the right to be here, and their paths have been even more interesting throughout the season. 

For the Celtics, a coast throughout the regular season and playoffs led them to this point, amassing a league-best 64 wins en route to playing no more than 5 games to get here. On the Mavericks side, a mid-season trade acquiring P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford transformed the dynamic of their team. After the trade, they went 33-12 to finish the regular season and knocked off the star-studded Clippers, first-seeded Thunder, and defensive-minded Timberwolves.

Doncic and Tatum Reflect on NBA Finals Pressure and Expectations

Mavs superstar Luka Doncic spoke on how he feels to be playing in his first NBA Finals.

“Amazing. First time here. Hopefully, it’s not the last game, but never take it for granted. You never know if you are going to come back, so just enjoy the experience.”

Jayson Tatum, who’s faced a lot of scrutiny this playoff run for his performance, believes there’s a reason others talk so much about his play.

“Does it get old? [The scrutiny]. Yeah, but it’s the Finals. They wouldn’t be talking about me if I wasn’t good.”

There are a lot of familiar foes on each team that provide tons to watch for entering game one.

Former Celtics Irving and Porzingis Set for Emotional Finals Reunion Against Dallas

Kyrie Irving, infamous in Boston lore, was a member of the Celtics from 2017-2019. Upon his arrival, he stated in an open practice that he “will be resigning” in Boston. After his deal, he left and joined the Brooklyn Nets to team up with Kevin Durant. 

Irving dealt with injuries during his time in Boston, which led to disappointment for the Tatum, Brown and Irving trio. 

In a different head space in his career, Irving has revitalized his leadership qualities in Dallas being called the unquestioned voice of the locker room by his teammates.

For the Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis, it will be a face-off with his former team as well. Porzingis was a member of the Mavs from 2019-2022. He was once thought to be the optimal Luka Doncic sidekick, but things never really worked out, and he was traded to Washington in 2022.

Porzingis says that he is still happy for the city of Dallas even though he’s on the opposite side. 

“I’m happy for everyone in Dallas. A lot of great relationships I have there. [Kyrie and Luka] are really good. It’s not a fluke they’re in the Finals.”

This will be an interesting match between two teams who play drastically different. Dallas rotates two high level lob catching centers all game in Gafford and Lively, using their inside advantage to punish teams going small. The Mavs have the advantage in the star category with Luka Doncic vying to be the best player in the world, and an NBA Champion in Kyrie Irving.

Celtics’ Perimeter Defense Faces Off Against Mavericks’ Revamped Interior Play in Dynamic Finals Matchup

For the Celtics, their bread and butter relies on the five out offense and the spacing they are able to create based on their three point shooting. On the defensive side, the Celtics are much better at guarding around the perimeter highlighted by two All-NBA defensive team guards in Jrue Holiday and Derrick White.

Dallas, over the last 15 games of the regular season, posted a 106.0 defensive rating, and there wasn’t a drop-off in the playoffs. Before the trade, Dallas was one of the worst defensive teams in the league, relying on outsourcing opponents rather than guarding them. Washington and Gafford have really helped them turn it around on that side of the ball.

This will be Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown’s second trip to the NBA Finals. In 2022, they lost to Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors in six games, in what was their first real taste of Finals experience. The two as a pairing are one of the most dynamic duos in the league, averaging a combined 49.9 points per game. The Celtics also have a more well-rounded overall roster than the Mavs, where they have multiple threats from all over the court that can put pressure on a rim-protected heavy Mavs defense.

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High Stakes and Historic Implications as Celtics and Mavericks Clash in NBA Finals

This series will be fun to watch and have many different storylines to follow. The Celtics won both of the regular season matchups, but in the playoffs all of that goes out the window. It also could mean a lot for the leaders of the two teams. Luka Doncic with an NBA Championship ring will now be entered into some conversations with all-time greats. Jayson Tatum with a ring will erase all of the doubt he gets from media and fans about his lackluster performances when it counts. 

Game one kicks off Thursday at 8:30 ET. on ABC.