Well, the day has finally arrived. A week without basketball is over… oh yeah, there was the WNBA stuff going on… Like I said, a week without basketball is finally over; the NBA Finals are here, finally! The Dallas Mavericks will visit the Boston Celtics in Game 1 tonight. Let’s talk.
I think about who from Boston will be able to guard the alley-oops to Gafford and Lively and Jones Jr. The Celtics big men are Horford and Porzingis, who will be back today; they guarding that? I don’t think so. I guess the key is stopping the passer in that scenario? Not sure. On the flip side of things, obviously the Mavericks big men will have to guard Horford and Porzingis, and they like to hang out at the three point line. Normally, I would say that’s stupid; I talk crap about Vooch all year long. In this case though, there is a benefit: drawing the Mavs’ rim protectors out of the paint, which opens it up for J&J to take it to the rack… if they’re not sitting back shooting treys all day.
There are a lot of interesting angles on this series; I haven’t made one bet yet. The Celtics have been the best team all year; the Mavericks arguably are the hottest team. Many people picked Boston since Day 1; not so many have Dallas. In the past week after this matchup was set, supposedly money is pouring in on the Mavericks; that’s not a great sign. Where is Vegas’ biggest liability? It’s an interesting angle to consider. Talking Game 1, the money is on the Mavs… or so they say. Personally, I like the Mavs plus the points tonight. I kind of lean Celtics for the series though. More than anything, I think I like the over 5.5 total games in the series, although that price is kind of steep. Maybe I just bet this sucker live tonight? Maybe I just observe Game 1? I’m still on my 9 game betting losing streak; taken a few days off before the Finals. But for the Finals… I have to get in on this action somehow, some way, right?
Jrue Holliday may play a key role; a guy from work reminded me about him. His defense will be huge; who will they put him on? Luka or Kyrie? I say Luka. Don’t send the double at Luka, letting him make the pass to the open man. Maybe Holliday can hold his own; certainly won’t do worse than the DPOY last series… OK that wasn’t his fault. I do think this will be a series, although my Celtics buddy says Boston in a sweep… haha. Not sure about that. I do think there’s a whole hell of a lot more pressure on the Celts in this series. If they don’t win this year, then when?
Although it would be nice to not include the Lakers in that sentence about most NBA Finals of all time, I will be rooting for the Mavericks. This may change from game to game though, pending my wagers, but at the end of the day, I would prefer to see Dallas win… won’t be heartbroken either way though. Let’s go 7 shall we?
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