The Boston Celtics and their impressive collective begin the NBA final at home on Thursday, June 6, which could allow them to win a record 18th title, against the Dallas Mavericks of the flamboyant Luka Doncic.
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Historic franchise of the North American professional league, Boston has the opportunity to get back in front of its great rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers, co-holders of the record for NBA titles (17). The Celtics hope to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy for the first time since 2008.
Best team in the regular season (64 wins – 18 losses), which gave it home field advantage in the final, Boston stormed into the play-offs with two 4-1 wins against Miami and then Cleveland, before a sweep. (sweep) 4-0 against Indiana. Even stronger, the “C’s” remained undefeated away from home in six matches.
A tough clash in the final
Armed with a major five with Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis, Boston can also rely on its experience, after a defeat in the final in 2022 against the Golden State Warriors, then a heartbreak in the conference final last year against Miami.
“ People think that we are continuing from previous years. But we are a different team… We have had three coaches in five years. And time has passed, we have gained experience, I think we are ready to give the best of ourselves “, assured Jaylen Brown, named best player of the Eastern Conference final.
The only question in Boston is whether the team is ready for a tough clash in the final, after a ” easy », which did not see him play against a single big star, between injuries and poor performances.
Watch out for Luka Doncic, Slovenian magician from Dallas
In the final, the “C’s” will move on to reveal the incandescent Luka Doncic, boss of the Mavericks. The Slovenian magician, top scorer of the regular season (33.9 points on average), is hovering above this final phase for the moment (28.3 points, 9.1 assists, 9.6 rebounds), during which Dallas, 5th in the regular season in the West, eliminated three higher-ranked teams: the LA Clippers (4-2), the Oklahoma City Thunder (4-2) and the Minnesota Timberwolves (4-1).
“ Each series helped us for the next one. Boston knows the final, they have the experience, they shoot very well from three points. It’s another big test “, explained Mavs coach Jason Kidd.
NBA Finals schedule (best of seven rounds):
Thursday June 6: Game 1 in Boston
Sunday June 9: Game 2 in Boston
Wednesday June 12: Game 3 in Dallas
Friday June 14: Game 4 in Dallas
Monday June 17: Game 5 in Boston (if necessary)
Thursday June 20: Game 6 in Dallas (if necessary)
Sunday June 23: Game 7 in Boston (if necessary)