The Dallas Mavericks secured their ticket to the 2024 NBA Finals by defeating the third-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals. With the win, the Mavericks have become the first team since the 2010 Los Angeles Lakers to beat three 50-win teams on their journey to the Finals.
Before their victory over the Timberwolves, the Mavericks triumphed over the fourth-seeded Los Angeles Clippers and the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder.
Interestingly, the Los Angeles Lakers achieved a similar feat in 2010. The team then went on to win the NBA championship that year. What’s more interesting is that their opponent in the Finals was the Boston Celtics, whom they defeated in a thrilling seven-game series to secure their 16th championship title. The Mavericks would be aiming to replicate the same result.
Colin Cowherd and Jason Timpf Analyze Celtics’ Defensive Struggles against Dallas Mavericks
Sports analyst Colin Cowherd and “Hoops Tonight” host Jason Timpf recently discussed their perspectives on the upcoming NBA Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics. Cowherd noted that the Boston team is set to face significant pressure from the Mavericks, particularly when handling Western Conference Finals MVP Luka Doncic.
“I think Boston is going to have a lot of pressure in the Finals,” Cowherd said.
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Timpf supported Cowherd’s point, mentioning Boston’s defensive struggles, especially against pick-and-roll plays, throughout the playoffs. He attributed much of this weakness to Kristaps Porzingis’s absence.
“Boston has been the worst pick-and-roll defense in the playoffs to this point, and a lot of that has to do with Porzingis being out,” Timpf explained.
Nevertheless, Timpf also pointed out that Jayson Tatum could be a significant challenge for the Mavericks. He believes Tatum’s performance could impose considerable pressure on Dallas.
Meanwhile, analysts have observed that the Celtics had a relatively easy path to the Finals, having swept the Indiana Pacers easily.
As the NBA Finals game series begins on June 6, the Celtics now have the opportunity to prove their critics wrong.
Also Read: NBA Finals 2024: Boston Celtics vs Dallas Mavericks Preview and Prediction.
