This is going to be a dream matchup for the NBA and sports writers
because of the limitless story lines. Kristaps Porzingis and Kyrie Irving
against their old teams. Jayson Tatum vs. Luka Doncic for the unofficial title
of “face of the NBA.”
According to sportsbook DraftKings, Boston, who'll have homecourt
advantage, has been given -210 odds to win it all, ahead of Dallas' +175
odds.
Let’s look at a few key factors which will be an integral part of each team’s
preparation, play and strategy in winning the world championship title.
Coaching matchup: Mazzulla vs Kidd
This marks only the third time that two Black head coaches will face off in the championship series. The previous two times was in 1975 when Al Attles led the Golden State Warriors against K.C. Jones and the Washington Bullets, and in 2017, Mike Brown and the Warriors (filling in for Steve Kerr) faced Ty Lue and the
Cleveland Cavaliers.
Jason Kidd is a former NBA player and legend. He spent nineteen seasons
in the league, retiring in 2013 as the second all-time leader in assists. He
also led the Dallas Mavericks to their first NBA championship in 2011 as
the starting point guard.
Now in his third year as the head coach of the Mavericks, he has shown the ability to adjust between games, especially after losses. His coaching style will be crucial in this series. Joe Mazzula did not play in the NBA but had a commendable college career at West Virginia University.
He became an assistant coach with the
Celtics in the 2019-2020 season and promoted to interim head coach. Last
year, Mazzulla was officially named the Celtics’ full-time head coach. Under
his leadership, the Celtics achieved the best regular season record this
year and have performed well in the playoffs, losing only six games.
Starting Five Line Up
The Celtics' backcourt comprises All-Defensive
Second Team guards Derrick White and Jrue Holiday, while All-Star
swingman Jaylen Brown and All-NBA power forward Jayson Tatum occupy
both forward spots. One-time All-Star center Kristaps Porzingis, when
healthy, rounds out the club's first five.
Former five-time All-Star Al Horford,
who has been manning the middle while Porzingis recuperates from a right
soleus strain for most of the East playoffs, is the team's sixth man.
Dallas is led by its All-Star backcourt, Luka Doncic, and Kyrie Irving. The
dynamic duo represents two of the top three late-game scorers currently
active in the league, along with Denver Nuggets superstar center Nikola
Jokic.
Doncic and Irving thrive in the halfcourt, creating magic off the
dribble, either for themselves with crazy shots or for others with formidable
assists. They’re surrounded by a stellar bunch of young, athletic players
who represent solid threats, major defensive help, and excellent
sharpshooters.
In addition to the historic coaching matchup, the Mavericks aim to become
the first No. 5 seed to win an NBA title, following the 2020 Miami Heat as
the only other fifth seed to reach the Finals. This exciting series promises to
be a clash of legacy and determination, with both teams eager to etch their
names in the NBA’s history.
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