Head coach Joe Mazzulla drew some inspiration from Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola before the game. The two coaches, with Guardiola fresh off leading Man City to a record fourth straight Premier League title, exchanged jerseys and discussed tactics. This seemed to pay off as the Celtics stifled the Mavericks from the start.
Dominating the first quarter, the Celtics led by 21 points at halftime. They held the Mavericks to just nine assists on 35 field goals and matched that with the same number of blocks. Despite Mavericks star Luka Doncic leading the game with 30 points and 10 rebounds, and Kyrie Irving managing just two assists, the Celtics' defense was too strong.
Irving also scored 12 points, while PJ Washington added 14 and Jaden Hardy contributed 13 for the Mavericks. Doncic, however, finished with only one assist.
The spotlight was on Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis, who returned after a five-week calf injury to score 20 points, grab six rebounds, and make three assists. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 22 points, and Jayson Tatum added 16 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists.
Game 2 of the NBA Finals is set for Sunday, June 9, at TD Garden, starting at 8 p.m. local time (1 a.m. UK time on Monday).