Now that the table is set for the NBA championship, we can dive deeper and look at the matchup. Recently we’ve looked at the hypothetical matchup of these two teams in a previous article. First, let’s break down each team’s starting players’ post-season stats. For the Mavs, Luka Doncic comes in as a player with 41.5 minutes per game, scoring 28.8 points per game, 9.6 rebounds per game, 8.8 assists per game, and 1.6 steals per day 5 blocks per game, and only 3.9 turnovers per game. Kyrie Irving follows up with 40.2 min, 22.8 pts, 3.9 reb, 5.2 ast, .1.2 stl, .4 blk and 2.5 TO. P.J. Washington has 36.5 min, 13.6 pts, 6.7 reb, 1.4 ast, .9 stl, .8 blk, 1.4 TO. Derrick Jones contributes with his 36.5 min, 9.8 pts, 3.6 reb, 1.4 ast, .5 stl, .8 blk, and 1.4 TO. Lastly, Daniel Gafford plays 21.8 min, 9.2 pts, 5.9, reb, .8 ast, .3 stl, 1.8 blk, and 1 TO.
Now as we move on to the Celtics, Jayson Tatum comes in with 40.5 minutes per game, 26.0 points per game, 1.4 rebounds per game, 5.9 assists per game, 1.1 steals per game, .7 blocks per game 2.4 turnovers per game. Jaylen Brown’s workload consists of 36.7 min, 25.0 pts, 6.1 reb, 2.6 stl, .6 blk, 2.6 TO. Derrick White’s stats consist of 35.1 min, 17.8 pts, 4.1 reb, 4.6 ast, .9 stl, 1.3 blk, and .7 TO. Jrue Holiday carries 37.9 min 12.7 pts, 5.6 reb, 4.6 ast, 1.3 stl, .6 blk, and 1.6 TO. As I look at the stats sheet it shows Kristaps Porzingis as the 5th player but as he has only played 4 games, I’ll list Al Horford stats instead. Horford has played 14 games and started 10, playing for 30.4 min, scoring 9.9 pts, 7.3 rebounds per game, 1.9 assists, .6 stl, .9 blk and .6 TO.
As we preview what this series will be, Luka is making the case that he might be the best player in the playoffs and could lead the Mavs to the championship. For the Celtics to have any chance the two star players, Tatum and Brown, are going to have to play dang near perfect. On top of that the Celtics will need Tatum to become clutch in those big moments and summon that Kobe Bryant Mamba mentality. If he doesn’t, he’ll never earn that “superstar” status. Both Celtics members are probably going to match up against Kryie and Luka. They’ll have to be careful because both of those Mavs players can put Tatum and Brown in foul trouble fast.
Many believe that this series will last around 5-6 games, with the Mavs pulling out the win. I’ve mentioned before that I think Derrick White should take on the responsibility of guarding either Luka or Kyrie along with Brown. Personally, I believe that this has to be Tatum’s time to shine and secure his legacy in basketball. I don’t think it would this would change or alter the idea we have of Kyrie and Luka.
Kyrie already has his ring, we know what Luka is and he’s not going anywhere. There won’t be any type of negativity or scrutiny if Luka loses in this NBA finals, unlike what Tatum will face. Tatum’s been close to the Finals before and has always fallen short. Luka still has time before the “How good is Luka”? With the Mavs dynamic duo and the Celtics high 3-point shooting, this will certainly make this a fun series to watch.
