Celtics and Mavericks meet in NBA Finals and four players will prove crucial

The 2024 NBA Finals are upon us, with the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks set to battle it out for the coveted Larry O’Brien Trophy.

Following a thrilling postseason, the Celtics and Mavs have emerged as champions of the Eastern and Western Conferences respectively. For Boston, this is their second NBA Finals in three years, with an experienced team eager to finally taste victory amidst a shower of confetti.

However, the narrative is different for Dallas. The Mavs haven’t had a whiff of the championship since Dirk Nowitzki led them to triumph in 2011. Now, with European sensation Luka Doncic at the helm, they’re back in the game. Kyrie Irving has been instrumental, while rookie Dereck Lively has made a name for himself alongside Daniel Gafford and P. J. Washington.

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After securing Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis in the offseason, the Celtics have ruled the 2023-24 NBA season from start to finish. But all that will be for naught if they can’t cross the finish line. Here are the four players who will play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the 2024 NBA Finals:

Luka Doncic

In Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals, Doncic racked up 36 points – including a staggering 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting in the first quarter alone, outscoring the entire Minnesota Timberwolves team. Impressively, this marked the second time in Doncic’s budding career that he’s scored 20 points in a single postseason quarter, underlining his formidable talent.

Like Nowitzki in 2011, Doncic has been a powerhouse for Dallas, averaging an impressive 28.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 8.8 assists during this playoff run to the NBA Finals. If he keeps up these stats, the Slovenian star could become only the third player to average at least 28/8/8 in 15 or more playoff games, joining the ranks of LeBron James (2015 and 2018) and Nikola Jokic (2023).

Last season, Jokic made history as the first player to lead the playoffs in points, rebounds, and assists, helping the Denver Nuggets clinch the championship. Even if Dallas doesn’t win, Doncic is likely to achieve the same feat as he currently leads the playoffs in points and assists, and is just nine rebounds behind Jokic.

Doncic also has the chance to become the sixth player in NBA history to win both a scoring title and a championship in the same season, following in the footsteps of Joe Fulks, George Mikan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, and Shaquille O’Neal. At just 25, Doncic is already considered one of the all-time greats and is currently enjoying an exceptional run.

If the Mavericks are to secure their second Larry O’Brien trophy, they’ll need Doncic to continue his mesmerising performance – and there’s no reason to believe he won’t.

Jayson Tatum

Jayson Tatum, the NBA superstar who somehow manages to split opinions, is a force to be reckoned with on both ends of the court. His all-round game, including his often-underestimated passing and rebounding skills, are key to his scoring prowess.

Despite facing challenges in this playoff run, Tatum remains a consistent contributor for the Celtics. He’s leading the playoffs in cumulative plus-minus, with the Celtics outscoring their rivals by 141 points when he’s playing.

Since his rookie days seven years ago, Tatum has carried the weight of being the face of one of the NBA’s most iconic teams. If he can guide Boston to their first championship in 16 years, he’ll secure his place as a legend.

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