Al Horford takes on larger role due to injuries with 12.8 points and 7.3 rebounds per game in Eastern Conference Finals
Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks to face off in 2024 NBA Finals
Celtics have a regular season plus-11.7 point differential but face toughest challenge yet against Mavericks
Doncic acknowledges Celtics as 'best team in the NBA' after Game 5 of Western Conference finals
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown lead Celtics with a plus-17.0 point differential in Eastern Conference playoffs
Luka Doncic averages 28.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game for Mavericks in Western Conference finals
The 2024 NBA Finals will feature a highly anticipated matchup between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks. Both teams have proven themselves to be formidable opponents, with standout performances from key players leading them to this point. The Celtics, led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, have dominated the Eastern Conference playoffs with a plus-17.0 point differential.
The Mavericks, on the other hand, have been equally impressive in the Western Conference finals. Luka Doncic has averaged 28.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game while shooting an impressive 43.8% from the field and 34.3% from three-point range.
Although the Celtics have had a strong regular season with a plus-11.7 point differential, they will face their toughest challenge yet in the Mavericks.
The elder statesman on the Celtics roster, Al Horford, who turns 38 on Monday, has taken on a larger role during the playoffs due to injuries to teammates. He averaged 12.8 points and 7.3 rebounds against the Indiana Paciers in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Mavericks have also shown their strength, with Doncic acknowledging the Celtics as ‘the best team in the NBA’ during a post-game interview after Game 5 of the Western Conference finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Both teams will need to bring their A-game if they want to come out on top. The Finals are set to tip off on June 6 in Boston.
The Celtics have been the best team in the playoffs, statistically, with a plus-11.7 point differential in the regular season and a plus-17.0 point differential in the first round.
The Celtics have outscored their opponents by 9.9 points per game from 3-point range, by 4.1 points in the restricted area, and by 6.1 points per game on free throws, which are the best differentials in the playoffs.
Luka Doncic of the Mavericks has averaged 28.8 points, 9.6 rebounds and 8.8 assists in the playoffs.
The Celtics are undefeated (10-0) in games they led by double digits.
Luka Doncic finished with 36 points, ten rebounds, five assists and two steals while shooting 14/22 from the field and 6/10 from the three-point range in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Doncic acknowledged their strength during a post-game interview, expressing that they will need to play ‘really hard and amazing basketball’ to beat them.
