Boston Celtics Blow Out Dallas Mavericks to Take Game 1 of the NBA Finals

Celtics Dominate From the Start

The Boston Celtics took a commanding lead in the NBA Finals with a decisive 107-89 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 on Thursday.

Led by Jayson Tatum's 23 points, the Celtics jumped out to a big lead in the first half and never looked back. Kristaps Porzingis made his return from a calf injury for the Mavericks, scoring 20 points, but it wasn't enough to stop the Boston onslaught.

Inside the Game

The Celtics were in control from the opening tip, shooting 50% from the field and holding the Mavericks to just 37%. Boston also dominated the boards, outrebounding Dallas 45-34.

Tatum was the star of the game for the Celtics, scoring efficiently and hitting several key shots down the stretch. Jaylen Brown added 19 points, while Marcus Smart chipped in with 15.

For the Mavericks, Porzingis was the only player to score in double figures, as Luka Doncic struggled to get going, finishing with just 13 points on 4-of-15 shooting.

Implications

The victory gives the Celtics a crucial 1-0 lead in the series and home-court advantage for Game 2. The Mavericks will need to make some adjustments to have a chance of getting back into the series.

Game 2 of the NBA Finals will be played on Sunday, June 8, in Boston.