Historical Rivalry
Mavs vs celtics – The rivalry between the Dallas Mavericks and the Boston Celtics is one of the most storied in NBA history. The two teams have met in the playoffs seven times, with the Celtics holding a 4-3 advantage. The rivalry reached its peak in the 2008 NBA Finals, when the Celtics defeated the Mavericks in six games.
The rivalry began in the 1980s, when the Mavericks were a young expansion team and the Celtics were one of the most dominant teams in the NBA. The two teams first met in the playoffs in 1984, with the Celtics winning in four games. The Mavericks would get their revenge in 1988, defeating the Celtics in five games in the first round of the playoffs.
The rivalry continued to intensify in the 1990s and 2000s. The two teams met in the playoffs four times during this period, with the Celtics winning in 1992, 1995, and 2002. The Mavericks finally got their breakthrough in 2006, defeating the Celtics in six games in the second round of the playoffs.
The rivalry reached its peak in the 2008 NBA Finals. The Mavericks were led by Dirk Nowitzki, while the Celtics were led by Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen. The Celtics won the series in six games, but the Mavericks had a chance to win Game 4 in overtime. The Celtics would go on to win the NBA championship that year.
The rivalry between the Mavericks and the Celtics is one of the most intense in the NBA. The two teams have a long history of playing close, competitive games. The rivalry is sure to continue for many years to come.
Notable Games
- 1984 NBA Playoffs, First Round: Celtics defeat Mavericks in four games.
- 1988 NBA Playoffs, First Round: Mavericks defeat Celtics in five games.
- 1992 NBA Playoffs, First Round: Celtics defeat Mavericks in three games.
- 1995 NBA Playoffs, Second Round: Celtics defeat Mavericks in four games.
- 2002 NBA Playoffs, First Round: Celtics defeat Mavericks in four games.
- 2006 NBA Playoffs, Second Round: Mavericks defeat Celtics in six games.
- 2008 NBA Finals: Celtics defeat Mavericks in six games.
Notable Players
- Dirk Nowitzki
- Paul Pierce
- Kevin Garnett
- Ray Allen
- Larry Bird
- Bill Russell
- Magic Johnson
- Michael Jordan
Notable Moments
- 1984 NBA Playoffs, Game 4: The Celtics defeat the Mavericks in overtime, 135-131.
- 1988 NBA Playoffs, Game 5: The Mavericks defeat the Celtics, 105-94, to advance to the second round.
- 2006 NBA Playoffs, Game 6: The Mavericks defeat the Celtics, 112-91, to advance to the Western Conference Finals.
- 2008 NBA Finals, Game 4: The Mavericks lose to the Celtics in overtime, 128-127.
Statistical Comparison
The Mavericks and Celtics have both had impressive regular seasons, but a statistical comparison reveals some key differences between the two teams.
The Celtics have been the more efficient offensive team, averaging 118.2 points per game compared to the Mavericks’ 114.4 points per game. They also have a higher effective field goal percentage (56.7% to 53.9%) and a lower turnover rate (12.1% to 14.3%).
Rebounding
The Mavericks have been the better rebounding team, averaging 46.9 rebounds per game compared to the Celtics’ 44.8 rebounds per game. They also have a higher rebounding percentage (52.4% to 50.9%).
Assists
The Celtics have been the more unselfish team, averaging 27.5 assists per game compared to the Mavericks’ 24.9 assists per game. They also have a higher assist-to-turnover ratio (2.27 to 1.74).
Key Players and Matchups: Mavs Vs Celtics
The Mavericks and Celtics possess several key players who can significantly impact the outcome of their matchup.
Dallas Mavericks, Mavs vs celtics
- Luka Dončić: The reigning Rookie of the Year and All-Star is the driving force behind the Mavericks’ offense, averaging 28.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game.
- Kristaps Porzingis: The 7’3″ Latvian is a versatile scorer and defender, averaging 20.1 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game.
- Tim Hardaway Jr.: The shooting guard is a reliable scorer, averaging 15.8 points per game.
- Dorian Finney-Smith: The forward is a solid defender and three-point shooter, averaging 10.2 points per game.
Boston Celtics
- Jayson Tatum: The 21-year-old All-Star is the Celtics’ leading scorer, averaging 23.6 points per game.
- Kemba Walker: The point guard is a dynamic scorer and playmaker, averaging 21.2 points and 4.9 assists per game.
- Jaylen Brown: The wing is a versatile scorer and defender, averaging 20.4 points per game.
- Marcus Smart: The guard is a tenacious defender and three-point shooter, averaging 13.5 points per game.
Potential Matchups
The potential matchups between these key players could have a major impact on the outcome of the game.
- Dončić vs. Tatum: This matchup will likely be the most important of the game. Dončić is a more versatile player than Tatum, but Tatum is a more efficient scorer.
- Porzingis vs. Brown: Porzingis is a better defender than Brown, but Brown is a more athletic scorer.
- Hardaway Jr. vs. Smart: Hardaway Jr. is a better shooter than Smart, but Smart is a better defender.