Celtics dominate Mavericks in NBA Finals opener; Why Dan Hurley fits Lakers

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Good morning everyone, but especially…

THE BOSTON CELTICS

Minutes after his NBA Finals debut and long-awaited return from a calf injury, Kristaps Porzingis was smiling and the Celtics were rolling. At the end of the first quarter, Boston led by 17, the largest NBA Finals Game 1 lead after one quarter in league history.

So when those smiles disappeared and the Independents reduced the 29-point deficit to single digits, it was fitting that Porzingis got the hosts and their fans back up and running, forcing a Kyrie Irving traveling at one end and throwing a ferocious dunk at the other.

That was the last time Dallas was below single digits.

Porzingis scored 20 points and added six rebounds and three blocks off the bench and all five Boston starters scored in double figures as the Celtics won Game 1, 107-89.

Except for a few short periods, Boston was at or near its best, and Porzingis was a big reason for thisSam Quinn writes.

• Quinn: “Let’s start with the obvious question: How did Boston protect Porzingis from defending in space against Dallas’ dangerous ball handlers? In short, it gambled against Dallas’ less impressive 3-point shooters. Shortly after Doncic’s opening salvo against Porzingis, Irving took a shot. When Derrick Jones Jr. tried to pull Jrue Holiday away from him, Porzingis fell as Holiday chased him, daring Irving to return it to Jones for the triple that Jones missed.

The attack was excellent, with 16 3-pointers and many dunks in highlights. The defense was even better; we’ll get to that soon.

Honorable mentions

And it’s not such a good day for…

THE DALLAS MAVERICKS

It’s easy to say Luka Doncic must do more to facilitate the attack, despite the 30 points. He had just one assist, a playoff career low. The Mavericks as a team had just nine, the fewest of any team in a Finals game since 2007. When Doncic drove, Boston didn’t panic. When he threw the ball to the pitchers, they weren’t open like they normally are. This is a feature, not a bug. The Celtics have allowed the fewest corner 3-pointers made It is held opponents to the worst corner 3-point percentage in the league this season. Porzingis, in turn, limited Doncic’s normally excellent passing. Check out these numbers:

Mavericks in the playoffs, entering last night:

• 4.6 corner 3s made per game (most in the NBA)
• 11.6 corners 3 attempted per game (only Pelicans there was more)
• 39.4% in 3s curves (only 76ers, Pacemakers were better)

Mavericks in Game 1:

• A corner 3 done
• Three corner 3s attempted

Brad Botkin broke How Boston Disabled Doncic’s Passing Superpowersand Bill Reiter says Game 1 was a a stark reminder of the enormous challenge Doncic is facing.

It’s also easy to say that Irving (12 points on 6-of-19 shooting) has to be and go be thou better. Both are probably true, but there are no easy answers. Boston has a plethora of very good, athletic, perimeter defenders, as well as several elite defenders. Behind them is a bona fide elite rim protector in Porzingis. Irving Game 1 failure helped extend his personal losing streak against the Celtics to 11 games. One of the subplots of the series will be, oh, deep admiration between the player and the fans of one of his former teams, the last chapter coming when he provoked the fans even more with your post-game comments.

On the other hand, Dallas made a lot of mistakes – misjudged double teams, missed rotations, miscommunications – and that’s when the Celtics they were not making difficult shots, which they did a lot too.

The good news is that this is nothing new. The Mavericks lost their first game against the Clippers and the Thunder and won both series. The bad news is that the Celtics are much, much better than these teams. It will take something special to turn the tide.

Not so honorable mentions

Lakers target UConn’s Dan Hurley as head coach

After weeks of reports that they were targeting someone they had never trained before, the Lakers surprisingly, he has become one of the most successful coaches on the planet right now. UConnin Dan Hurley – fresh off his second consecutive national championship in UConn – is now the Lakers’ top target as head coach as the franchise prepares a “massive” deal for him.

With his track record, creative attack and flexible defense, Hurley is someone who can lead the Lakers both in LeBron James era and beyond, writes Sam Quinn.

• Quinn: “Hurley’s teams perfectly combine strength and finesse. They ranked in the top five in the country in rebounding rate in both championship years, while also ranking in the top 11 in 3-point attempts. The most important to UConn’s success? More than anything else, Hurley’s best trait as a coach is that he is adaptable. He has developed his historic offense over time, recognized and embraced the trends of modern basketball, and adjusted it as needed. necessary to win in the modern NBA.

History is full of great college coaches who fought in the proshowever, and Hurley is demanding, sometimes exaggerated the coaching style would have to change in professionals, Matt Norlander writes. Yet, Geno Auriemma believes his male counterpart at UConn can “win many championships.”

How about JJ Redickfar away seen as the pioneer? He declined immediate commentbut Sam writes that Redick would be dodging a bullet for not getting the job.

Isaac Trotter rated How the College Game Could Change if Hurley Leaves the Sport’s Preeminent Program.

Until Johnson Magic gave his opinion on the matter last nightcounting Jimmy Kimmel“The Lakers need to have someone to hold them accountable. And also, we have to play physical basketball. Denver will always beat us unless we become a much more physical team. So we need to be more physical.”

Stanley Cup Final preview, picks: Can Oilers’ star-studded offense beat Panthers’ defense?

This season, only three teams have scored more goals than the Lubricatorsand no one allowed fewer goals than the Panthers. Fittingly, they face each other in the Stanley Cup Final and both are looking to end long droughts. Florida has Never has won a Stanley Cup, and although the Oilers have five, the last one was in 1990. Edmonton also wants end a drought for your country: No Canadian team has lifted the Cup since the Canadians in 1993 – months before the debut of the Panthers franchise.

Connor McDavid leads a well-oiled Oilers offense. With five Ross Trophies and three Hart Trophies – and potentially more hardware coming soon – McDavid is already racking up an all-time resume at just 27 years old. Winning a Cup would increase your greatness in a way that no individual award can. Standing in his way is a deep, disciplined and talented defense and two-time Vezina Trophy winner Sergei Bobrovskywho was magnificent in closing the Eastern Conference final against guards.

Chris Bengel and Austin Nivison have made their choices . Here’s Austin’s:

• Nivison: “Of course, the Panthers aren’t all defenders all the time. Matthew Tkachuk remains one of the best forwards in the game today and leads Florida with 19 points. Sam Reinhart It is Carter Verhaeghe fill in the top six with a good score as well. … This Stanley Cup final showdown is a contest with teams formed in different ways. Ultimately, the Panthers’ depth and defense will beat a powerful but top-heavy Oilers team. Pick – Panthers beat Oilers 4-2“

Golazo 100 continues with numbers 80-61

O CBS Sports Goal 100 countdown continued with Nos. 80-61which presents the best Concacaf player according to our experts’ estimates: Afonso Davies. Chuck Booth explains why the Bayern Munchen left back comes in 75th place in the world.

• Cabin: “Davies has surpassed every expectation set for him and then some, but he can still go even further at just 23 years old. With his pace, Davies can keep up with the best wingers in the world while providing chances in attacking areas and is capable of returning to being a full-time striker when on international duty for Canada.”

Also on this track are two World Cup heroes and many stars from the world’s best clubs, so be sure to check them out… and watch the Golazo Network this morning for 60-41.

Just don’t expect any more names from Concacaf. CanadaDavies and the U.S‘ Christian Pulisic (81st) were the only representatives of the region. Only five others received a vote. What is causing this? And is Concacaf on the rise or in decline? Chuck answered these questions and more.

What are we going to watch this weekend

Friday

Twins in Pirates6:40 p.m. on Apple TV+
Dodgers at Yankees7:05 p.m. on Apple TV+
Rockies at Cardinals8:15 p.m. on ESPN+

Saturday

French Open women’s singles final: Iga Swiatek vs. Jasmine Paolini9am on NBC
Freedom in the Sun1pm on ABC
Phillies at Mets (London Series)1:10 pm on Fox
Dreaming in the sky5pm on ABC
USWNT x Colombia5:30 pm on TNT
156th Belmont Stake6:41 pm on Fox
Dodgers at Yankees or Guardians at Marlins7:35 pm on Fox
Stanley Cup Final – Game 1: Oilers at Panthers8pm on ABC

Sunday

French Open men’s singles final9am on NBC
Phillies at Mets (London Series)10am on ESPN
Dodgers at Yankees7pm on ESPN
NBA Finals – Game 2: Mavericks x Celtics8pm on ABC