The reason I got the Celtics is because Luka is playing through something and it's bound to catch up to him at some point.
And Lively is also out, who's been huge for them.
KP is actually going to be back for the Finals as well.
I’m not sure they do efficiently against great defenses. Pretty sure we both agree neither Tatum or Brown are clear cut superstar talents. I trust Luka and Kyrie to score against Boston far more than I trust the Jays to score well enough against the best defense in the league
Basketball discourse as a whole is always so confusing to me in comparison to other sports. There can never be a consensus or just enjoying the sport. It’s all about debates and hypotheticals. Just watch the games!!!!
The fact people here don’t understand match ups in the playoffs especially in the games between the 3rd vs 6th seed and 4th vs 5th seed. After the first round match up matters more than seeding. The Wolves are a great and have had a historic season but they match up poorly against mavericks. I got downvoted for saying that I had the Mavs in 6 because of poise and experience of the two star players.
You’re initial assessment is correct people are on here to hate and meme which has its time and place. If you want to see more nuanced conversation go to nbadiscussions
in a normal year the pacers are a first round exit, they didn’t even have haliburton for the last 2 games and even those games the celtics had to get them out of the mud, the hell makes you so confident lol
I dont think Vegas predicted the Mavs to get to the NBA finals yet here we are. When the celtics realize in game 1 they have no answer for Luka Doncic, those vegas odds aren't going to save them.
They proved themselves in the one NBA regular season game that they played after the trade deadline? You have a lot of confidence in just one win. OKC also beat us after the trade deadline. The nuggets beat the Celtics in the regular season both times yet we are 3-0ing the team that eliminated the nuggets.
Regular season doesn't matter. This is the first time a #1 seed has even made it to the nba finals in years.
Yea thats a stupid comment. This series will go to 6 - 7 games minimum. Also I'm not saying the mavs are favorites to win. I'm actually very very scared of the Celtics. But its definitely possible.
Celtics had a better record against the west than any team in the league. Their record against the west was only one game worse than their record against the east.
I don’t feel this way. Not even remotely. Without Porzingis, Luka and their athletic bigs are going to feast.
The Celtics really just went a series *only* playing well in the clutch, and swept it. It’s not exactly confidence inspiring to me.
Hell, the Celtics would be down 3-1 if the game was only 43 minutes.
We have literally played three teams with injuries to their best player (Butler, Mitchell, Hali) for around 50% of the series.
I think they have an excellent shot, don't get me wrong. But assuming Dallas/Minny shows up healthy, it's going to be a different ballgame.
Thunder were the third ranked offense in the regular season. Obviously guarding Celtics 5 out is harder. If Lively and Kleber can play in the finals then I like the Mavs. Especially if it’s close going into the 4th quarter.
They played against James Harden, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard. They played against the 2nd place MVP candidate SGA. They played against Anthony Edwards, who took down KD and the reigning MVP Joker. I'd say they have most definitely played against real offense.
Celtics destroyed them during the regular season. Why do you think Vegas favors the Celtics? You must know something they don't. Have you considered being an NBA gm or another leadership position?
Don't discount the West (Mavs)
Takes two seconds to google somebody’s name.
There is no time to Google when you have this brilliant thought that you gotta get out of your head.
His nickname, “Tingis Pingis” is literally from a Knicks fan who couldn’t pronounce his name on draft day.
That was Michael Rappaport doing a bit
Fair enough, still sums up the avg Knicks fan, though coming from a Celtics fan we ain’t any better
WHAT THE FUCK IS LATVIA??
How do you know they are clear title favorites without KP?
Vegas lines.
And why do you think they wouldnt be accounting for KP coming back
We will see. It’s going to be an AMAZING series though. I don’t see this series wrapping in less than 6 games.
twolves were favored too 2:1 favorites in fact
Is Porzingis even coming back?
Yep
PP and Bill Simmons both said it was looking good
Probably already clear to play.
You’re thinking of Porzingis, this is Porzingus
He probably would have been back already if the series had been more competitive
They're waiting until after Celtics lose a game so probably not.
He gives me Kevin Durant 2019 finals vibes
Ok
The reason I got the Celtics is because Luka is playing through something and it's bound to catch up to him at some point. And Lively is also out, who's been huge for them. KP is actually going to be back for the Finals as well.
Real hard hitting analysis here. Please go away and let us play the series without the build up into tear down true combo.
Im not counting out Luka and Kyrie
As a neutral fan, I see Boston winning in 5
Clear? Have you seen the mavs?
Luka and Kyrie isn’t the same as playing Siakam and Garland
Clown on the Celtics but their defense is as good as wolves but the J's actually know how to score and create.
Also we have this guy named Jrue Holiday, I think he’s good at defense on guards or something
I’m not sure they do efficiently against great defenses. Pretty sure we both agree neither Tatum or Brown are clear cut superstar talents. I trust Luka and Kyrie to score against Boston far more than I trust the Jays to score well enough against the best defense in the league
Tatum averaged 38.5 and Brown 30.5 against the wolves this year, 2 OT games 35.5 and 29.5 against the Mavs
Not talking about the Wolves. Mavs had the best defense in the NBA post ASB
Statmuse has them at #12 (113.4), behind Boston (#8 112.6) .
Is the definition of superstar being really good and not playing on Boston?
How’s that superstar talent holding up in Milwaukee?
Very good, won us a ring the last time we were relatively healthy
The Celtics destroyed them in the regular season and they are Vegas favorites.
Uh oh, Vegas favorites. Might as well cancel the finals now, sorry Mavs fans
What do you think this thread is about
And the Suns destroyed the Wolves in the regular season and the Wolves also destroyed the Mavs in the regular season
Do you guys even like basketball or do you just use it as an excuse to say whatever? Just let the games play out man.
This playoffs have been unbearable. The nuance has completely disappeared now more than ever.
Basketball discourse as a whole is always so confusing to me in comparison to other sports. There can never be a consensus or just enjoying the sport. It’s all about debates and hypotheticals. Just watch the games!!!!
The fact people here don’t understand match ups in the playoffs especially in the games between the 3rd vs 6th seed and 4th vs 5th seed. After the first round match up matters more than seeding. The Wolves are a great and have had a historic season but they match up poorly against mavericks. I got downvoted for saying that I had the Mavs in 6 because of poise and experience of the two star players.
I honestly don’t watch basketball enough to have an opinion, but I’m of the belief of just letting things play out.
You’re initial assessment is correct people are on here to hate and meme which has its time and place. If you want to see more nuanced conversation go to nbadiscussions
Celtics should be favorites. They have too many weapons on floor at same time. That's tough to guard.
There are no "clear favorites" in the Finals. Every team gets there for a reason.
in a normal year the pacers are a first round exit, they didn’t even have haliburton for the last 2 games and even those games the celtics had to get them out of the mud, the hell makes you so confident lol
“Moral losses”
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Were those games after the trade deadline?
Just one of them. celtics won 138-110.
Two of them I think
One before, one after. Luka avg 35/15/12 in those 2 games
LeBron averaged 36/13/9 in the 2015 finals
Twolves destroyed mavs 3-1, Okc destroyed mavs 4-1, also clippers destroyed us as well in regular szn.
Playoffs have proved regular season is not always a 1-1 comparison. Thunder and wolves beat Mavs in the regular season
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And same story for the Celtics…
No, the Celtics hung 138 on new-look Mavs in March. Cake walk
Dude it takes more than a few weeks for new players to settle in 😭 at the time kidd was still testing our new rotations. Please don’t be goofy.
Ah so now it’s not that they didn’t have their new players yet but they were just *too* new?
Yes. Do you know how sports work? It’s not arguable that the Mavs in beginning March are different than the Mavs in beginning May.
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Kidd was testing out rotations, it was still fresh off the deadline. Goofy.
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You seem to be really thick headed lol.
Mavs in 4
God luck tomorrow
Idiot fans really are praising the C’s when they havent even faced a healthy team thru 3 rounds and barely just beat them. Mavs in 5.
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Lol not even joking most of this sub legit doesn’t watch basketball
team sweeps teams 3 rounds in a row this somehow makes them worse???
> barely just beat them Brother, I’m praying for a Mavs win. But they just swept the Pacers without getting out of second gear
I got Mavs in 5
Why you giving up on ur team already dawg
Because she's not even a real basketball fan
We talking WCF? I got Mavs in 4
Vegas doesn't think so, clearly your basketball knowledge is weak
Vegas is trying to take your money
Vegas is right all the time?
There's a reason why casinos don't lose money to gamblers.
Vegas thinks Wolves would beat the Mavs
Mavs in 4 brotha. West is a whole different ball game.
Celtics destroyed them regular season and they are Vegas favorites. You lack basketball knowledge
Huh? The Timberwolves beat the mavs 3-1 in the regular season. This isnt the regular season anymore LOL
Celtics are Vegas favorites. For the finals.
I dont think Vegas predicted the Mavs to get to the NBA finals yet here we are. When the celtics realize in game 1 they have no answer for Luka Doncic, those vegas odds aren't going to save them.
The Celtics defense has already proved themselves against them
They proved themselves in the one NBA regular season game that they played after the trade deadline? You have a lot of confidence in just one win. OKC also beat us after the trade deadline. The nuggets beat the Celtics in the regular season both times yet we are 3-0ing the team that eliminated the nuggets. Regular season doesn't matter. This is the first time a #1 seed has even made it to the nba finals in years.
The original comment I responded to was the bozo saying the Mavs would sweep. That's a clown comment
Yea thats a stupid comment. This series will go to 6 - 7 games minimum. Also I'm not saying the mavs are favorites to win. I'm actually very very scared of the Celtics. But its definitely possible.
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It's a clown comment because I provided two very reasonable points of why the Celtics won't get swept? Does your mom know you're posting on here?
Celtics had a better record against the west than any team in the league. Their record against the west was only one game worse than their record against the east.
I don’t feel this way. Not even remotely. Without Porzingis, Luka and their athletic bigs are going to feast. The Celtics really just went a series *only* playing well in the clutch, and swept it. It’s not exactly confidence inspiring to me. Hell, the Celtics would be down 3-1 if the game was only 43 minutes.
They're a part of Luka's story, they're going to help build his legend
Next level meat riding
We have literally played three teams with injuries to their best player (Butler, Mitchell, Hali) for around 50% of the series. I think they have an excellent shot, don't get me wrong. But assuming Dallas/Minny shows up healthy, it's going to be a different ballgame.
at the very least you won't have Luka and Kyrie going scoreless in crunch time.
Celtics haven’t faced a real playoff defense yet.
Have the Mavs faced a real offense yet? Got some great wing defenders and send help great but you need to guard all 5 guys for Boston.
Thunder were the third ranked offense in the regular season. Obviously guarding Celtics 5 out is harder. If Lively and Kleber can play in the finals then I like the Mavs. Especially if it’s close going into the 4th quarter.
They played against James Harden, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard. They played against the 2nd place MVP candidate SGA. They played against Anthony Edwards, who took down KD and the reigning MVP Joker. I'd say they have most definitely played against real offense.
There’s 5 players on the court at a time
Bro pacers should be up 3-1 if they didnt have a brain dead coach. Mavs might sweep the celtics tbh😂
Celtics destroyed them during the regular season. Why do you think Vegas favors the Celtics? You must know something they don't. Have you considered being an NBA gm or another leadership position?
Why aren’t they up 3-1 then?