BOSTON — Two decades after the Seven-Seconds-or-Less Phoenix Suns revolutionized the NBA with an offense that was unprecedented and challenging to defend, the Boston Celtics have raised the bar.
Witness the epitome of a modern NBA offense, combining high-volume and high-efficiency 3-point shooting with ruthlessly effective midrange game, complemented by drives, dives, and triples from the dynamic forward duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown dominating opponents with sheer dominance.
In Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday, the Celtics executed their signature style, stretching the Mavs to their limits and eventually overpowering them behind a flurry of first-half 3-pointers and a phenomenal comeback from Kristaps Porziņģis. Even as Dallas clawed back from a 29-point deficit to within 8 points in the third quarter, Boston countered by extending their lead back to 20 and securing a 107-89 victory.
THAT’S ONE ☝️#DifferentHere pic.com/0PLNoZMIjX
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) June 7, 2024
Similar to a dominant boxer, Boston relentlessly attacks from all angles and tempos. Porziņģis, making his comeback after an injury, set the tone off the bench with an impressive first-half performance. Despite Dallas trying various defenders against him, Porziņģis was unstoppable, scoring 18 of his 20 points in the first half. The Celtics drained 16 of 42 three-pointers, including a crucial end-of-third-quarter surge to nullify Dallas’ momentum.
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Brown also played a pivotal role, swinging the game back in Boston’s favor by drawing fouls and forcing Dallas to bench key defenders. Tatum showcased his playmaking skills while Holiday’s contribution was invaluable.
The Celtics’ relentless offensive pressure over 48 minutes has propelled them to within striking distance of their 18th NBA title. Boston’s style of play overwhelms opponents and gets inside their heads, as evidenced by Washington’s comments.
While the series is far from over, Dallas faces a tough challenge as their defensive strengths are not what Boston relies on for success. The Celtics’ strategy is a refined version of what the Suns did 20 years ago, emphasizing 3-point shooting.
Boston’s offensive prowess, led by Tatum and now bolstered by Porziņģis, has set them apart in the league. Porziņģis adds a new dimension with his scoring ability, allowing the Celtics to maintain offensive firepower even on off-shooting nights.
7 footer coming through 👀 pic.com/ZTzvGEPEDV
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) June 7, 2024
With Tatum leading the charge, Boston’s offensive juggernaut seems unstoppable as they continue to dominate opponents on their path to potential glory.
As the series unfolds, Dallas faces the daunting task of containing Boston’s relentless offense. With the Celtics firing on all cylinders, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that stopping them may be a near-impossible feat.
(Photo of Kristaps Porziņģis: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images)