Brown Returns, Celtics Rout Mavericks 107-89 in Game 1 of NBA Finals
Boston Takes Early Lead in Championship Series
Porzingis' Absence Proves Costly for Dallas
The Boston Celtics made a resounding statement in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, dominating the Dallas Mavericks 107-89 to take an early lead in the championship series. Jaylen Brown's return from injury proved pivotal, as he led the Celtics with 30 points and 8 assists.
The Mavericks, who were missing injured star Kristaps Porzingis, struggled to keep up with the Celtics' pace and intensity. Luka Doncic, Dallas' leading scorer in the regular season, was limited to just 23 points on 9-of-25 shooting.
The Celtics' defense also shone, holding the Mavericks to 35.7% shooting from the field and forcing 15 turnovers. Marcus Smart, in particular, was exceptional on the defensive end, with 4 steals and 5 blocks.
The Mavericks now face an uphill battle as the series shifts to Dallas for Game 2. They will need to find a way to slow down the Celtics' offense and get more production from their supporting cast if they want to avoid falling behind 0-2 in the series.
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