With the Celtics clenching their place in the NBA finals, we can assume that the Mavs will be the team to represent the West. The Mavs hold a 3-0 series lead over the Timberwolves and the T-Wolves would need a Cleveland-type miracle to come back from that kind of deficit. So, let’s talk about the Mavs-Celtics matchup. I think something along the lines of Jaylen Brown and Derrick White will be the two players that will heavily guard Luka and Kyrie.
This should allow Jayson Tatum to focus more on the offensive side of the ball and not exhaust himself to the point the point where he becomes a liability. Jrue Holiday had 17 points in their series closer against the Pacers, and the Celtics will need similar numbers against the Mavs. Jaylon Brown had 29 points, but I expect those numbers to drop just by playing more defense, as I mentioned earlier. Al Horford will have to step up in a big way, because only having 7 points is not going to cut it in the finals. Luka and Kyrie both had 33 points on Sunday against the Timberwolves, and we expect them to get similar numbers consistently in the finals.
P.J. Washington had 16 points for the Mavs, going 2-6 at the 3-point line and 4-4 for free throws. If the Mavs want to ensure victory over the Celtics, his 3-pointers are going to have to come true. The Mavs bench only contributed 18 points for that game, which will have to be higher when it comes to the finals. The Celtics bench only contributed 10 points in their final game against the Pacers, but only the players from the bench who played the rest were DNP-coach decisions. While eight bench players stepped on the court for the Mavs, It does make one wonder what the bench matchup will be like when it comes down to that.
Remember when Golden State was winning all those championships that had great contributions from their bench? Curry and company would get off to a lead, and the bench would come in and hold that lead or even extend it. In the past, I’ve said that all the Mavs are Kyrie and Luka, and I still hold firm on that opinion. I just find that the chess battle is going to be more than “Hey guys, go out on the court and do your thing.” Coaching will have to come into play and will probably have a bigger effect on the game than we think. Either way, when the Mavs take care of business tonight, it should be a fun finals to watch.
