Luka Dončić Trash-Talked Celtics Owner Wyc Grousbeck During Game 2

June 10, 2024 Jimm Sallivan

Luka Dončić got into it with the crowd again during Game 2 of the NBA Finals. This time it was Boston Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck sitting courtside who drew Dončić’s attention.

Following an incredible first half performance, Dončić picked up five quick assists early in the third quarter. During that run, Grousbeck apparently did something that the Dallas Mavericks star didn’t like.

According to multiple media members, Grousbeck taunted Dončić. Then, on the next possession, the Mavs star hit a turnaround jumper and let Grousbeck have it as he ran back up the court.

Luka Doncic goes to work in the post with the turnaround jumper!

DAL looks to even the series 1-1 with a Game 2 win on ABC 🏆 pic.twitter.com/BxvgXQDG5N

— NBA (@NBA) June 10, 2024

Grousbeck apparently made a technical foul gesture, signaling to the officials that Dončić should receive a technical for complaining. The gesture directly resulted in Dončić backing down an All-Defensive Second Team player and hitting him with a move that left him flat-footed as he buried a jumper. Celtics’ Derrick White didn’t even attempt to contest the shot.

Celtics governor Wyc Grousbeck stood up during a recent dead ball and made a technical foul sign to Luka Doncic that the Mavs star saw nearby. After Doncic followed by scoring next, he ran back and had some words for Grousbeck that brought laughter by nearby fans.

— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) June 10, 2024

Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck just taunted Luka Doncic on the sidelines. Doncic drilled his next shot and started barking at him in the front row.

— Jay King (@ByJayKing) June 10, 2024

Despite the fact that Dončić has been playing well, the Celtics still extended their lead during the third quarter. Boston led 54-51 at the half and this Dončić highlight cut it to three again, but by the end of the third Boston was up by nine. Dončić had six points and six assists in the quarter.

31 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Mavericks Advance to NBA Finals After Routing Timberwolves in Game 5

The stage is officially set for the 2024 NBA Finals, as the Dallas Mavericks managed to close out the series against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals.

The Mavs' 124–103 win lifts the team to its first championship appearance since 2011, and there was never really a doubt for most of the contest after a dominant start from Luka Dončić, who scored 20 points in the first quarter.

As has been the case all playoffs long, Dallas put the ball into the hands of its tandem of star guards, Dončić and Kyrie Irving, and let them go to work. The two combined for 72 points in Thursday's series-clinching win and were tied for the game-high in scoring with 36 points apiece.

The Mavericks' other starters and role players lived up to their end of the billing, too, providing quality work on the glass and making life difficult for the Timberwolves offensively. Daniel Gafford's plus-minus of +27 was the highest in the game, and he and Dereck Lively II didn't miss a single field goal attempt between them (6-for-6) while combining for 17 rebounds.

In 17 games during the playoffs, Dončić is averaging 28.7 points per game as he’s helped guide the Mavs, who entered the postseason as the No. 5 seed in the West, through the conference gauntlet. He's now set for the first NBA Finals appearance of his career, where a showdown against the Boston Celtics awaits.

Game 1 is set for next Thursday, June 6 at 8:30 p.m. EST from the TD Garden in Boston, Mass.

10 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Jaylen Brown Politely Accepted Shaq’s Confusing Advice During Postgame Interview

The Boston Celtics secured a 2–0 series lead over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday night, winning Game 2 of the NBA Finals by seven on their home court.

After the game, Jaylen Brown linked up with members of the NBA TV postgame show for a quick interview, during which Shaquille O'Neal took the opportunity to offer him some "G-14 classification information," or advice regarding the NBA Finals.

"Jaylen, I don't have a question. But I'm going to give you some G-14 classification information, because this will be the last time you see me. It's a riddle; do not get fixated on useless titles. Do what you gotta do. Doesn't matter who's who, or they say who's what. It ain't time for all that right now. Do what you gotta do and get it done," O'Neal advised Brown.

Shaq: "Do not get fixated on useless titles. Do what you gotta do."@MattWinerTV: "That made sense to you?"
Jaylen: "No."
Shaq: "Okay well let me break it down... It don't matter who the man is!"
Shaq had to break down his G-14 classification to JB 🤣😭 pic.twitter.com/YX05XKQDbd
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 10, 2024

Matt Winer then asked Brown if that rambling made sense to him, to which Brown honestly admitted that it did not. O'Neal then proceeded to break it down further.

"They're trying to separate you and your guy [Jayson Tatum] by saying who's better... Don't worry about useless titles, it don't matter who the man is. Kobe's the man, Shaq's the man, it don't matter. I'm getting my 40, Kobe's getting his 39, let's go win a championship."

Ahead of Game 2, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd told reporters that he felt Brown was the Celtics' most important player, rather than Tatum. It appeared to be an attempt at some mind games from Kidd, aiming to pit Boston's two superstars against one another.

Although no one on the Celtics seem to have taken the comments to heart, O'Neal felt the need to offer his advice to Brown amid the outside chatter surrounding who truly lifts the team. Brown, though not quite understanding fully where Shaq was headed, politely accepted the advice from the all-time great.

13 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Mavericks vs. Celtics NBA Finals Game 4 Betting Odds, Prediction and Pick

The Boston Celtics are a win away from an 18th NBA title and can do it on the road in Dallas in Game 4 on Friday night.

The Celtics used a second-half surge to get past the Mavericks in Game 3 and will look to maintain its defensive form en route to a title-winning Game 4 on Friday night. While Kyrie Irving got on track in Game 3, Dallas couldn’t get a top effort from star Luka Doncic, who fouled out for the first time in his postseason career in the loss.

Despite leading 3-0, Boston is a small underdog on the road. Will Dallas extend the series back to Boston, or is this series a wrap?

Here’s the full betting preview:

Spread

Moneyline

Total: 211.5 (Over -106/Under -114)

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

Celtics Injury Report

Kristaps Porzinigs - foot - questionable

Mavericks Injury Report

Luka Doncic - ankle, knee, chest - probable

Celtics vs. Mavericks Key Players to Watch

Boston Celtics

Jayson Tatum: Tatum isn’t scoring all that efficiently, shooting about 36% from the field, but has been able to do it all by averaging nearly nine rebounds and seven assists to go with 21 points per game. He has been invaluable on defense, playing the Mavericks' lob threats at centers and switching on the likes of Doncic.

Can he put together one more comprehensive effort to lock in a title?

Dallas Mavericks

Luka Doncic: Doncic played his worst game of the series in Game 3, fouling out for the first time in his postseason career, shooting only 40% from the field with 27 points and six rebounds, each series lows, and six assists. Can Doncic lock in to start a historic comeback?

The Celtics were the better team heading into the series, and have justified it through three games, winning three games in different ways, and effectively ending the series. No team has come back from down 3-0 and I’m not counting on Dallas to be the first.

Boston has won with a barrage of three-point makes (Game 1), an off-shooting night (Game 2), and a come-from-behind effort in which the team pulled away late (Game 3).

The Celtics offense hasn’t been humming for the entirety of the series, but the defense has been at its best from the opening tip.

While Doncic has been able to score at times, and Irving found his footing in Game 3, the Boston defense has made most shots difficult for the two offensive-minded guards and shut off the water for everybody else on the Mavs.

Dallas role players are shooting 26% from three on an average of about 12 threes per game. The Celtics have dared the Mavericks to try and win two-on-five on offense and it hasn’t worked.

I ultimately think there are too many answers on the Boston side for this team that it is the preferred side. The Mavericks don’t have a way to generate clean looks for the likes of Doncic and Irving that a win would result from a cold shooting night from the Celtics.

However, Boston is only shooting 33.9% from three-point range this series while getting plenty of clean looks. The Celtics are winning while shooting more than two percent worse from distance in the regular season.

Boston is the clear side, I’ll bet on a sweep.

PICK: Celtics ML (-104)

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

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Luka Dončić Trash-Talked Celtics Owner Wyc Grousbeck During Game 2

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Jimm Sallivan