The Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks are going face-to-face in the 2024 NBA Finals, and both teams are in top form. The Celtics have been almost unstoppable, losing only two games throughout the playoffs—the fewest losses for a finalist in the past seven years.
They outscored their opponents by 10.8 points per 100 possessions, even though they missed Kristaps Porzingis for their last ten games. However, the Celtics’ previous opponents weren’t as strong as the Mavericks, who have been on fire, winning 36 of their last 50 games since early February.
Additionally, Boston hasn’t faced a duo as challenging to guard as Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. As the NBA Finals start on Thursday at 8:30 ET on ABC, here are some key numbers about both teams.
Key Statistics
The Boston Celtics have set new standards this season, becoming the first team in nearly three decades to statistically dominate the regular season and the first three rounds of the playoffs. Their regular season saw them outperform opponents by 11.7 points per 100 possessions, and they kept up this dominance through each playoff round, with substantial leads in points per 100 possessions at every stage. They’ve excelled in critical scoring areas throughout the playoffs, outscoring rivals by 9.9 points per game from behind the arc, 4.1 points in the restricted area, and 6.1 points at the free-throw line—the best differentials among playoff teams.
On the other hand, the Dallas Mavericks are powered by the stellar performance of Luka Doncic, averaging 28.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game. These impressive stats make Doncic one of only three players to achieve such averages through at least 15 playoff games, joining the elite company of LeBron James and Nikola Jokic. Moreover, the Mavericks have shown remarkable resilience, being the only team in the past three postseasons to secure multiple wins after trailing by at least 17 points. The Celtics have their strength in clutch situations, holding a 10-0 record in games where they led by double digits. Interestingly, both teams have better playoff records on the road than at home, a rarity in the history of the NBA Finals since the best-of-seven format was introduced for the first round.
As fans gear up for the finals, these statistics are crucial in understanding the dynamics that could shape the Celtics-Mavericks showdown. Keep an eye on the NBA Championship Odds, as these figures will influence the predictions and expectations leading up to the thrilling conclusion of the season.
Celtics’ Offense and Defense
The Celtics have excelled in field goal percentage in the paint, topping the charts at 63.2% during the playoffs. Despite this, only 42% of their shots have come from the paint, the lowest percentage among playoff teams. They favor three-point shots, with 47.4% of their attempts coming from beyond the arc, the highest rate in the playoffs.
Jaylen Brown has been outstanding, making 65.1% of his shots in the paint, improving from his regular season rate of 60.7%. Payton Pritchard has also been impressive, shooting 45.5% from three-point range, while Derrick White and Jrue Holiday have been strong in catch-and-shoot scenarios.
On defense, the Celtics limit their opponents to 14.5 free throw attempts per 100 field goal shots, the lowest in playoff history. They have also allowed the fewest second-chance points per game at 8.3. Their ability to prevent opponents from taking corner threes, combined with their defensive solid rebounding, has been key to their success.
Mavs’ Offense and Defense
The Mavericks have shown their offensive prowess, scoring 18.5 more points per 100 possessions against the Thunder in the conference semifinals and 11.7 more against the Wolves in the conference finals. They lead the playoffs with 4.6 corner three-pointers per game, with 34% of their three-point attempts coming from the corners. P.J. Washington is a standout, hitting 28 corner threes, while Derrick Jones Jr. has made 17. They’ve also improved their offensive rebounding, grabbing 31% of available offensive rebounds in the playoffs compared to 25.7% in the regular season.
Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving have been key players, with Doncic ranking fourth and Irving 15th in usage rate among players with at least 250 minutes in the playoffs. Doncic leads in assists on three-pointers and dunks, showcasing his playmaking skills. Defensively, the Mavericks’ opponents have shot just 51.1% in the paint, and Daniel Gafford has held opponents to 45.2% at the rim, the best mark among players who have defended at least 50 shots. Dereck Lively II follows closely with a 49.3% mark. The lineup with Lively instead of Gafford has allowed just 98.5 points per 100 possessions, the best defensive rating among key playoff lineups.
Maxi Kleber has also excelled defensively, holding opponents to 29.4% shooting against him, with an expected field goal percentage of 49.0%, the second-biggest differential in these playoffs.
