The Boston Celtics got off to a roaring start in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, defeating the Dallas Mavericks by a score of 107-89. Dallas made a run in the second and third quarters, but Boston’s response was even more impressive than their initial surge.
Here are three things you might have missed from the game.
1. Kristaps Porzingis responds to bullying
Kristaps Porzingis returned from injury after missing two full playoff series, and he looked like he didn’t miss a beat. The Mavericks did their best to make him uncomfortable, but every time they did, he responded.
Late in the first quarter, Josh Green actively bodied Porzingis off the ball, trying to make it as difficult as possible for him to catch it in the high post. As Green battled, Porzingis did the same, and the possession ended in an easy middy for the big fella.
2. Jaylen Brown doesn’t care.
Jaylen Brown led the Celtics in scoring in Game 1. His 22 points spearheaded an extremely well-rounded Boston attack, and he got there by being aggressive and picking his spots.
Brown’s defensive impact was also incredible. He finished the night with three steals and three blocks.
But when asked about how it felt to show off his skills on the biggest stage in basketball, Brown was all business.
“It means nothing,” Brown said. “You just get ready for the next one.”
Brown isn’t going to smile until Banner 18 is hanging in the books.
3. Best TD Garden crowd all season
And it wasn’t even close.
Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals was solid. Game 5 of the semifinals was fun because Al Horford got the crowd juiced up. But the crowd in Game 1 of the NBA Finals was the best crowd all season by a long shot.
From the opening tip, the building was bursting with energy, and when Porzingis made his first shot of the game, TD Garden may have caused Boston to flash on the Richter scale.
It was an absolutely incredible environment to be in.
