Tag: 2024 nba playoffs

Nick Nurse weighs in on the Boston Celtics 2024 NBA Finals run

The Philadelphia 76ers head coach shared his thoughts on the Boston Celtics NBA Finals run.

The Boston Celtics ended the regular season with the first seed in the Eastern Conference. They held the best record in basketball. Since the postseason began, Boston has only lost two games and remain undefeated on the road. They hold a 2-0 lead over the Dallas Mavericks in the 2024 NBA Finals.

As you would expect, there’s a significant amount of media attention being sent Boston’s way. After all, they’re the favorites to hoist the 2024 Larry O’Brien trophy. During a recent episode of “The Herd with Colin Cowherd,” Philadelphia 76ers head coach Nick Nurse joined the show.

The championship-winning coach shared his thoughts on Boston’s current level of play, how they match up against the Mavericks, and his thoughts on his rival’s overall season. Nurse has just completed his first year with Philadelphia and will be hoping to challenge the Celtics in next year’s Conference Finals.

You can watch the full episode by clicking on the embedded link above.

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Jrue Holiday has one focus: Winning a championship

Jrue Holiday is focused on helping the Boston Celtics win a championship this season.

The Boston Celtics acquired Jrue Holiday from the Portland Trail Blazers last summer. He had been traded to the Western Conference franchise as part of the deal that sent Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks. Since arriving in Boston, Holiday has been a major part of Joe Mazzulla’s system on both ends of the floor.

On Sunday (June 9), Holiday was Boston’s top scorer as they overcame the Dallas Mavericks in Game 2 of the NBA Finals. His performance ensured that Mazzulla’s team headed on the road with a 2-0 lead over their Western Conference counterparts. During his postgame news conference, Holiday admitted he’s in Boston to win at the highest level.

“I’m a utility guy,” Holiday said. “I’ll do whatever. I’m here to win. I feel like they brought me here to win, and I’ll do my best to do that.”

Holiday is the only player on the Celtics roster with championship experience, and is also one of the more versatile guards in the NBA. He can operate as a secondary scoring option or fall back as a fourth or fifth option. Holiday is also one of the better perimeter defenders in the NBA, but is strong enough to guard up multiple positions.

Since joining the Celtics, he has emerged as a leader and veteran presence. Holiday’s willingness to adapt his game to whatever the team needs has made him a prime glue guy within the starting unit.

And his partnership with Derrick White has elevated Boston’s defense to new heights. Celtics fans will be hoping that’s enough to bring a title to Boston later this month.

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Jayson Tatum is willing to take a step back in scoring for a title

Jayson Tatum’s all-around play has been a major reason why the Boston Celtics hold a 2-0 lead over the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals.

Jayson Tatum has been receiving significant criticism during the postseason. The Boston Celtics forward has embraced a well-rounded role for his team, leading to his scoring numbers and shot efficiency dropping. In Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Sunday (June 9), Tatum scored 18 points on 27.3% shooting from the field.

When speaking to the media during his postgame press conference, Tatum admitted that he needed to shoot better, but is happy to continue facilitating for his teammates if it will lead the Celtics to a championship. Tatum recorded 12 assists in Boston’s 105-98 win over the Dallas Mavericks.

“It’s not all about scoring,” Tatum said. “I can be the guy rebounding and getting assists and drawing attention, right? I’m going to have the ball in certain spots, right? I draw so much attention. I’m not always going to be the guy to get the shot, but sometimes sacrificing, being in those spots to make the play that we get the best shot possible, knowing that what they want to take away in their schemes and things like that. So being the guy in different ways.”

Tatum has become a complete player. He defends at an elite level. He is one of the best playmaking forwards in the NBA. He can rebound as good as anybody. And, when needed, he can be the superstar scorer everybody expects him to be.

Still, with so much talent around him, Tatum is ensuring his teammates get their touches and their opportunities to shine on the biggest stage.

He is a major part of why the Celtics roster is succeeding, regardless of his scoring output.

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Jayson Tatum is using 2022 as fuel against Mavericks

Jayson Tatum is using the Boston Celtics loss in the 2022 NBA Finals as fuel against the Dallas Mavericks.

In 2022, the Golden State Warriors defeated the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals. Jayson Tatum played that series with a non-displaced fracture in his wrist. Boston underperformed. They failed to return to the mountain top last season, losing to the Miami Heat in seven games.

However, after a dominant 2023-24 season, the Celtics are back in the NBA Finals and currently lead the Dallas Mavericks 1-0. In his postgame news conference on Thursday (June 6), Tatum discussed the motivation he and his teammates have following their inability to win a championship the last time they made it this far.

“Maybe last year, us losing in the conference finals,” Tatum said. “Maybe I just expected that after we lost in 2022 that it was guaranteed that we were just going to keep coming back, and this is like our time. Last year it was just kind of a wake-up call to not take anything for granted, because you never know how many opportunities that you might have.”

The Celtics have what is arguably the most talented roster in the NBA. In the opening game of the series, they punished the Mavericks’ defense at every opportunity. They will undoubtedly lean into their floor spacing and playmaking in the coming games as they attempt to assert their dominance.

Boston will look to extend their lead over the Mavericks when the two teams face off for Game 2 on Sunday (June 9).

If Joe Mazzulla’s team can secure the victory, they will only need one win on the road to take complete control of the series. Then, the Celtics will be one step away from banishing the ghosts of 2022.

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Luka Doncic admits Boston’s 3-point offense is an issue

Luka Doncic admitted the Boston Celtics perimeter-based offense was an issue for the Dallas Mavericks.

The Boston Celtics are one of the best perimeter-scoring teams in the NBA. Joe Mazzulla likes his team to get up a lot of 3s. Boston also has eight players who can all score from deep, seven of whom are legitimate three-level scorers. As such, the Dallas Mavericks struggled to contain Boston’s floor spacing during the opening game of the NBA Finals.

During his postgame news conference, Luka Doncic admitted that Boston’s spacing and 3-point offense were both issues for Dallas’ defense. The MVP candidate admitted that his team needs to do a better job in both defending the three-point line and converting more of their own perimeter attempts.

“I think they are the best 3-point shooting team in the NBA, so sometimes really hard to take those away,” Doncic said. “Especially when they have five guys out and they can all shoot. Obviously, we’ve got to make more. We didn’t make enough shots today to beat them. But we’ve got to be better on both ends.”

Mazzulla has done a fantastic job with Boston’s offense. They work to find open shots. They are happy to score out of the post or get to the rim. Yet, when all their shooters are spacing the floor, they become almost impossible to defend.

Dallas will undoubtedly make adjustments heading into Game 2 on Sunday (June 9). However, containing Boston’s offense in a best-of-seven series projects to be a daunting task.

If the Mavericks can’t figure it out, the Celtics will be raising a banner in the TD Garden later this summer.

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How the Celtics punished the Mavericks defense

The Boston Celtics punished the Dallas Mavericks defense during the opening game of the NBA Finals.

The Boston Celtics won Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks. Joe Mazzulla’s team showed its offensive dominance, consistently finding gaps in the Mavericks’ defense and creating high-level scoring opportunities to build a significant lead early in the game.

In the latest episode of “The Celtics Chronicle” podcast, the hosts break down the different ways the Celtics looked to punish Dallas’ defense. They also point out how the Mavericks could look to adjust their game plan heading into Game 2 on Sunday (June 9) and what the Celtics should watch out for.

Dallas isn’t going to be an easy out. They have lost the opening game of two previous rounds in the postseason before surging back to win the series and progress. As such, the Celtics must remain fluid in their approach. Fortunately, Mazzulla has the deepest roster in the NBA, and two of the most talented forwards in the league in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

You can watch the full episode by clicking on the embedded link above.

Subscribe to the “Celtics Chronicle” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3UAVYRg

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The Celtics playmaking was the key to downing the Mavs

The Boston Celtics overcame the Dallas Mavericks in the opening game of the NBA Finals, primarily due to the playmaking of their star duo.

The Boston Celtics overcame the Dallas Mavericks to secure a Game 1 victory in the NBA Finals. Joe Mazzulla’s team consistently attacked the Mavericks’ defense as they looked to load up to the ball. Despite dealing with double teams in the halfcourt, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown found ways to make reads.

During his postgame news conference, Mazzulla praised the poise and decision-making of his star duo. He cited how their ability to punish double-teams and traps helped Boston control the game’s flow. As such, the Celtics could implement their style of offense and keep Dallas on the back foot.

“That’s what those guys do,” Mazzulla said. “They have the ability to draw two guys, and the most important thing is making the right play over and over again, doing what’s best for the team, reading the two-on-ones, and when they’re at their best, those guys are able to do that. I thought their decision-making helped control the game, especially when they went on that run, and we were able to get that back.”

Tatum and Brown have both flourished as ball-handlers and playmakers over the past two seasons. Tatum is now one of the best point-forwards in the NBA, while Brown has learned how to use his aggressive offense to draw a defense before making the right pass.

The Mavericks must now adjust their defensive scheme as they look to limit the impact Tatum and Brown can have when attacking an aggressive defense. Boston has too much spacing for double-teams to be an effective strategy. If Dallas sticks with sending two at the ball, they will struggle in Game 2 on Sunday (June 9).

Subscribe to the “Celtics Chronicle” podcast on:

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ranked as the 4th-best player in NBA

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ranked as the 4th-best player in NBA.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have smashed open a championship window this past season. They made history by being the youngest first seed and squad to win a playoff series.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s ascension to superstardom has been the biggest reason for this. The 25-year-old finished runner-up for MVP and has had back-to-back All-NBA First Team honors.

Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey decided to rank the league’s best 10 players amid the 2024 NBA Finals. The playoffs play a large role in how the top players are perceived. Gilgeous-Alexander was ranked No. 4.

“Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is coming off back-to-back campaigns in which he averaged at least 30 points, eight free-throw attempts and five assists, while shooting at least 53 percent on twos and 87 percent from the line.

And in his first real postseason run as the No. 1 guy, those numbers didn’t really drop off for SGA. His team was knocked out in the second round, but that had more to do with the lack of playoff experience for teammates like Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren.

They’ll all be back, and that especially includes Gilgeous-Alexander.

SGA turns 26 in July and just finished second in MVP voting. His ability to get to his spots and connect from the mid-range is just about unparalleled. His size (6’6″ with a 6’11” wingspan) is elite for a guard and makes him a pest in passing lanes.

For the foreseeable future, he’ll be in the mix for top-five status.”

This is a fair assessment as the Thunder’s Round 2 exit was about the lack of help Gilgeous-Alexander received in their series against the Dallas Mavericks. He was phenomenal and was arguably the best player in that series.

This was the first of likely several postseason trips for the Thunder. Expect Gilgeous-Alexander to be a mainstay in playoff basketball after being out of it the last three years.

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Defensive versatility is what makes the Celtics special

The Boston Celtics have high-level defenders at every position in their playoff rotation.

The Boston Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks in the opening game of the NBA Finals on Thursday (June 6). Joe Mazzulla’s team produced an elite performance on both sides of the ball, leaving the Mavericks shell-shocked and searching for answers. However, Boston’s defense stood out. Every member of the rotation held their own.

During his postgame news conference, Jayson Tatum credited the Celtics’ collective defensive skill. He noted that Boston’s postseason rotation is talented enough that no one can consistently be hunted on mismatches. When facing an isolation-heavy time like the Mavericks, defensive stability is key.

“Something that we have harped on all season, what makes our team really special, is we don’t have guys that we hide on defense,” Tatum said. “Bigs and guards, we switch, we take on the challenge of individual defense. Understanding that we have help, it’s a team sport, we have all got to be on the same page, but we’re not showing or anything like that, because that could compromise your defense. And, essentially, if you want to play on our team you have to be able to guard, and everybody knows that.”

The Celtics can’t take their opening win for granted. The Mavericks have lost the opening game in two of their three previous playoff matchups. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving have continually found ways to help their team bounce back.

Nevertheless, the Celtics are arguably the best defensive team in the NBA. Even with their elite offensive ability, the team’s identity comes on the defensive side of the floor.

Mazzulla’s team will need to repeat their June 6 performance three more times. If they can do that, they will end the season as champions.

Subscribe to the “Celtics Chronicle” podcast on:

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Kyrie Irving isn’t phased by the Boston Celtics crowd

Kyrie Irving admitted that he is now accustomed to the reception he receives from the Boston Celtics crowd.

Kyrie Irving made his first postseason appearance at the TD Garden since being swept by the Boston Celtics in 2022 on Thursday (June 6). At the time, Irving was still part of the Brooklyn Nets. He endured a difficult reception from Celtics fans, having left the franchise under difficult circumstances in 2019.

Much like his last postseason appearance in Boston, Irving walked off the court on the wrong side of the result. Boston dominated the Dallas Mavericks in the opening game of the NBA Finals. During his postgame news conference, Irving admitted that he’s become used to the reception he receives when returning to his former stomping ground.

“It’s basketball at the end of the day,” Irving said. “You know, being in this environment, I’m used to it at this point. Early in my career, there was a different relationship that I had with Boston and just being able to come here, be settled with a veteran group. Now I’m here as a veteran, over the past few years, just experiencing the playoffs here, even regular season, it’s been the same thing.”

Irving has received significant praise this season. He has grown as a player and as a leader. He’s become the type of player the Celtics hoped they were getting when they traded for him in 2017.

Dallas is now trailing in the series against Boston. Irving and Luka Doncic will be expected to step up when the two teams face off for Game 2 on Sunday (June 9.)

Irving will undoubtedly receive another hostile welcome. Celtics fans will undoubtedly be hoping it helps throw the ball-handling wizard off his game as the team looks to take a commanding 2-0 lead before heading to Texas.

Subscribe to the “Celtics Chronicle” podcast on:

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