PREMIUM
Stephen Nover's NBA Playoff Total of the Year
(NBA) Dallas vs. Boston,
Total: 214.00 | -111.00 Over
Result: Loss
Total: 214.00 | -111.00 Over
Result: Loss
The pattern usually is higher-scoring games early in the series, lower scoring as the series goes deeper. It makes sense as often at least one team has fresh legs. The teams are in the process, too, of trying to discover what is the most effective way to guard certain players. Both of these teams are more than properly rested for this Game 1 matchup.
Dallas hasn't played in a week giving Luka Doncic ample time to get healthy. Boston last played on May 27.
The Celtics scored 117 points in regulation in Game 1 against the Pacers. Boston produced 120 points vs the Heat in the opening game of that series and scored 114 points against Miami in that playoff opener. The Cavaliers and Heat are superior defensive teams to Dallas.
Boston has elite offensive ability and tremendous scoring depth. The Celtics averaged 120.6 points during the regular-season, which was No. 2 in the league. Big man Kristaps Porzingis is expected to play after missing the last 10 games with a calf injury. The 7-foot-2 inch Porzingis averages 20.1 points, shoots 51.6 percent from the floor and makes 85.8 percent of his free throws. He's a matchup nightmare for the Mavericks' low-post defense, which relies on smaller centers, Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II.
Porzingis is effective because he can pass and shoot. The Celtics led the NBA in making corner 3-point shots at 43.6 percent. Dallas is vulnerable on that shot.
It takes two to make a total work. The Mavericks will bring plenty to the offensive table. They have one of the great offensive backcourts of all-time in Doncic and Kyrie Irving along with a cast of impact role players. Doncic scored 33 and 37 points, respectively, in the two regular-season games against Boston. It's going to take time for Boston to probe and figure out the best way to minimize the damage Doncic is going to cause. It's scary to think how great Doncic can be in this series if he's finally 100 percent.
The Mavericks were the seventh-highest scoring team in the league averaging 117.9 points. During their last game, the Mavericks scored 124 points on the road against the Timberwolves, who led the NBA in defense giving up 106.5 points a game.
Dallas hasn't played in a week giving Luka Doncic ample time to get healthy. Boston last played on May 27.
The Celtics scored 117 points in regulation in Game 1 against the Pacers. Boston produced 120 points vs the Heat in the opening game of that series and scored 114 points against Miami in that playoff opener. The Cavaliers and Heat are superior defensive teams to Dallas.
Boston has elite offensive ability and tremendous scoring depth. The Celtics averaged 120.6 points during the regular-season, which was No. 2 in the league. Big man Kristaps Porzingis is expected to play after missing the last 10 games with a calf injury. The 7-foot-2 inch Porzingis averages 20.1 points, shoots 51.6 percent from the floor and makes 85.8 percent of his free throws. He's a matchup nightmare for the Mavericks' low-post defense, which relies on smaller centers, Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II.
Porzingis is effective because he can pass and shoot. The Celtics led the NBA in making corner 3-point shots at 43.6 percent. Dallas is vulnerable on that shot.
It takes two to make a total work. The Mavericks will bring plenty to the offensive table. They have one of the great offensive backcourts of all-time in Doncic and Kyrie Irving along with a cast of impact role players. Doncic scored 33 and 37 points, respectively, in the two regular-season games against Boston. It's going to take time for Boston to probe and figure out the best way to minimize the damage Doncic is going to cause. It's scary to think how great Doncic can be in this series if he's finally 100 percent.
The Mavericks were the seventh-highest scoring team in the league averaging 117.9 points. During their last game, the Mavericks scored 124 points on the road against the Timberwolves, who led the NBA in defense giving up 106.5 points a game.
