The narratives entering Game 1 of the NBA Finals surrounded the Boston Celtics‘ lack of quality opponents faced in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Many of those statements were true. The Celtics ran through injury-plagued versions of the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers en route to their second NBA Finals appearance in three years.
But in the first half of Game 1 on Thursday night against the Dallas Mavericks, the Celtics reminded NBA fans that they were a league-best 64-18 in the regular season, and that they were rightfully the Finals favorites.
Boston surged out to a 37–20 first quarter lead—the largest first-quarter lead in a Game 1 in NBA Finals history—and took a 63–42 lead into halftime. The Celtics shot 54.5% from the floor and hit 11 first half threes, while celebrating the triumphant return of Kristaps Porzingis, who poured in a team-high 18 points on 7-for-9 shooting in 13 minutes.
The Mavericks lacked defensive intensity from the jump, and couldn’t get out of their own way offensively against a stout Celtics defense. The Mavericks shot 43.9% from the floor in the first half, but went just 3-for-13 from three (23.1%). Luka Doncic led the way with 17 points on 7-for-14 shooting, but no other Mavericks player scored in double-digits in the first half.
Here are some of the best reactions from social media to Boston’s torrid start:
It’s crazy how the first basketball game anybody on the Dallas Mavericks ever played was Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
In sports, narratives born from what happens on the field of play constantly shape the conversation for fans. Over the last decade, more and more media personalities have driven those narratives through the art of the take– planting a flag on the boldest argument conceivable and defending it until their last breath. It matters not if the take starts out “hot” and ends up “cold.” What matters is the take was given. A conversation, launched. A narrative, driven. Engagement, plentiful.
We welcome you, then, to TAKE MARKET. Our endeavor is to look back upon the strongest takes in the media ecosystem from the most recent news cycle and evaluate their stock. Should you buy low on a Stephen A. Smith take that’s on the verge of coming to fruition? Should you sell high on a Skip Bayless take that looks good now but has a nosedive rapidly approaching? We will provide those answers, fully informing you of where the most prevalent narratives in sports today are coming from and where they are going.
In the first edition of TAKE MARKET, we look back at the discourse surrounding the 2024 NBA Finals.
"Well, Jaylen [Brown] is their best player.. He plays both both sides at a high rate.”
This take comes from an unexpected source; head coaches usually stay out of the narrative game unless they're defending their own players. But Kidd, ahead of Game 2 of the Finals, threw out his own hot take by proclaiming Jaylen Brown, not Jayson Tatum, to be the best player on the Boston Celtics. It is a familiar debate for Celtics fans. It may be a newer one for the national audience after Brown flopped in Game 7 of the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals following Tatum's sprained ankle, seemingly putting the conversation to rest once and for all.
But Brown elevated his game to such an extent in this postseason that it is, indeed, a conversation once more.
Through 17 games this postseason, Brown is averaging 24.9 points and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 54.3% from the floor; after his 30-point Game 3 outing, the All-Star has shot above 50% from the floor in each of the last seven games played. Tatum, meanwhile, has struggled mightily to score efficiently in the playoffs. He's performed at an elite level in every other aspect of the game but his shooting troubles have cracked the door open for Brown's candidacy as the team's top talent.
These trends continued in the first three games of the NBA Finals. Brown has scored efficiently while making Luka Doncic's life visibly miserable. Tatum has done everything well ... except score. The Celtics wouldn't be up 3-0 without their combined production, but in regards to the "who is better" debate, Brown's case has grown stronger by the game.
Most dismissed Kidd's initial comments out of hand, assuming it was more a ploy to stir up drama rather than an honest evaluation of Boston's two stars. Now, though, the stock is going up. If you didn't buy the dip last year, it isn't too late to get in on the action.
Recommendation: BUY
Stan Van Gundy: "Minnesota's top rated defense is gonna be challenged trying to slow them down arguably the best offensive backcourt in the history of the NBA in Luka Doncic & Kyrie Irving."
During the 2024 Western Conference Finals, TNT announcer Stan Van Gundy sparked debate around the media sphere by labeling Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving as "arguably" the greatest offensive backcourt duo of all time. Given the incredibly rich history of scoring talent at the guard position in the NBA, it was quite the proclamation, even if SVG hedged by slipping an "arguably" in there.
The two did all they could to prove Van Gundy right against the Minnesota Timberwolves. In the Mavs' six-game defeat of the Wolves, Doncic and Irving combined to average 54.5 points and 12.6 assists per game on 48 percent shooting from the floor. In Game 6 they both put up 36 points to eliminate Minnesota and reach the Finals.
The stock of this take fell off a cliff once the Finals started and not even a "vintage" Kyrie performance in Game 3, as Jaylen Brown described it, can salvage it. Doncic has put up his usual numbers over the first three games of the Finals but hasn't been nearly as dominant. Irving reminded everybody why this was even a conversation with an excellent outing on Wednesday night, scoring 35 tough points on 13-of-28 shooting, but mustered up only 28 points combined in Boston to open the series.
This is a position you should move off sooner rather than later.
One of the strongest narratives heading into the Finals this year was the Celtics' easy path through the Eastern Conference playoffs, as laid out above by Nick Wright of Fox Sports.
All three of Boston's opponents in the conference bracket were missing their best players for most or all of their matchups. The Celtics took care of business by losing only two games, and were commended for it. But true adversity was in short supply— especially compared to the Mavericks, who beat two of the top three seeds in the West for their spot in the Finals. It made for popular reasoning to pick the Mavericks to beat the Celtics, as Wright did.
Then Boston came out of the gates swinging, and swinging hard. They went up by 29 points over the Mavericks during Game 1 before coasting to an 18-point win. In Game 2, the Celtics had one of their worst performances from deep of the whole season, hitting only 10 of 39 three-point tries ... and still won by seven. The Mavs were on the ropes in Game 3, falling down by 21 in the fourth quarter, before ripping off a roaring comeback that cut Boston's lead to two. But the Celtics pulled out another clutch win and now have a 3-0 lead.
Their stars are more rested than the Mavs' leading men. The way Boston closed out Game 2 and Game 3 shows they didn't need to battle with other stars along the way to know how to win when it counts. Whatever other problems arise with the Celtics over the life of the Finals, any stock in the idea that their easy path was actually a bad thing is plummeting.
Recommendation: SELL
There were many questions about Kristaps Porzingis' ability to step in and compete in the Finals after he missed 10 straight playoff games with a calf strain. The Latvian big man did not play a second of the Celtics' second or third round series. It was legitimate to wonder if he would be capable of regaining his 20 point-per-game form from the regular season with basically zero runway.
It was also legitimate to wonder if the Celtics could beat a fully healthy, star-studded opponent without Porzingis. The sweet-shooting center is what unlocks Boston's highest potential. There are very few players in the NBA who can shoot and make 30-foot jumpers with regularity while protecting the rim at a truly elite level. The Celtics had enough talent to breeze through the East without him, but the Mavs were a different sort of beast. Some of the top analysts in basketball, like ESPN's Zach Lowe, planted flags on the idea that Boston would struggle to win against such talent without Porzingis.
After two games of the Finals, it's clear Lowe wasn't off-base at all in terms of how good the Celtics are with Porzingis. Porzingis got Boston off to a hot start in Game 1 and his 18 first-half points gave his team a lead they'd never relinquish. He was less impactful in Game 2 but his mere presence in the rotation means Boston always has five good three-point shooters on the floor at any given moment, no matter what.
Then Porzingis suffered another injury and was ruled out of Game 3. The Celtics got their doors blown off in the opening minutes before settling in and ultimately pulling it out. They are now up 3-0 in the Finals and historical trends suggest they will win the championship pretty much no matter what. Porzingis is a tremendous player who makes Boston truly great, but we cannot say at this point the team needs him to earn Banner 18.
Recommendation: SELL
As media members staked their claim on one side or the other of the Celtics-Mavs debate, it became clear that just about everybody was earnestly excited for this matchup. It's rife with legacy talk and star power, featuring new blood in a way the NBA rarely experiences. On the strategic side of things the matchup features a fascinating clash of styles and the potential for quite the chess match between C's head coach Joe Mazzulla and Mavs' head coach Jason Kidd.
More than anything, there was reason to be hyped because both teams boast incredible shot-making prowess. Thus, the audience received segments like the above from Stephen A. Smith, wondering if the combination of new storylines and talent would be enough to rank this Finals matchup the best of the last 10 years.
The stock here started falling from the outset. Slowly, instead of off a cliff. But falling nonetheless. Game 1 was not very competitive, and Game 2 only marginally more so. Doncic, arguably the marquee star of the series, is clearly hindered by a variety of injuries and his running mate Irving is struggling to create his usual magic. The Celtics have beaten the Mavericks in a "death by a thousand cuts" situation, which is not nearly as enticing to watch as true greatness.
The Mavericks looked like they were going to make a series out of it in Game 3 but lost composure down the stretch with Doncic fouling out, which is not quality viewing for anybody. Now Dallas is down 3-0, a deficit nobody in NBA history has ever come back from, and all of the tension of the matchup is gone.
If you were only evaluating this stock, you'd think there was a bear market the way it's going down the drain. All hope technically is not lost; if the Mavs forced a Game 7 then this take would soar. But betting on that sort of longshot is unwise.
It's been a long break since the conference finals wrapped up, but the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks is here at last. Game 1 will tip off on Thursday, June 6 at 8:30 p.m. ET.
It is a heavily anticipated matchup with legacies on the line. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will vie for their first ring against Luka Doncic doing the same, and Kyrie Irving, on the hunt for his second championship many years and teams after the first. There is some "unstoppable force meets immovable object" energy here, too. The Mavs have been on a heater since transforming their roster at the trade deadline and took down two of the NBA's very best teams en route to the Finals. The Celtics have been amazing all season long, putting up a 64–18 regular season record before going 12–2 running through the East playoff bracket.
It will be a fascinating series and, fans hope, a competitive one. Some will be lucky enough to see it for themselves by way of purchasing tickets to an NBA Finals game. Like any finale of a major American sport, it will not be cheap.
What's the ticket price range for the 2024 NBA Finals? Here's the breakdown for each game (ticket prices as of Wednesday, June 5).
Game 1 is on Thursday night and will be held at TD Garden in Boston, MA. as the Celtics earned home court advantage throughout the postseason by way of owning the league's best record. The hometown fans are, as expected, very excited to watch their team compete for the championship. So it is going to be an absolutely packed house, and one that will run a pretty penny per ticket.
Most expensive tickets
Per the Ticketmaster sales page, the most expensive ticket to see the Celtics play the Mavericks in Game 1 is a cool $27,000. That's right—nearly thirty grand. The ticket is in Row A of the VIP11 section, which is a courtside seat near the baseline across from the Mavs' bench. The ticket must be bought with its seat partner so this is a package that will cost $54,000 before fees, which in this case are an extra $12,000. So if you want the absolute best seat available, it's roughly a $66,000 investment.
In the interest of fairness, those two are particularly exorbitant. There are two similarly-priced sets of seats available— two seats on the baseline under the basket are $25,000 each, and a pair right next to the Celtics' bench on the floor are $17,000 each. But otherwise, most of the good seats (i.e. lower bowl) do not pass the $10,000 mark and instead hover between $6,000 and $10,000.
Cheapest tickets
All the above prices are largely unattainable for the vast majority of the population barring an unwise loan and/or second mortgage. But it is possible to get in the door for less than an arm and a leg. The cheapest ticket available is in section 305, row 15 (three rows from the wall of TD Garden), which is listed for $620 before fees. Still very expensive, but it doesn't hit the four-digit mark.
There are actually many tickets available at that general price point. The 300 level of TD Garden has over a dozen listings for tickets ranging from $620 to $700.
Game 2 is scheduled to tip off on Sunday, June 9 at 8 p.m. ET, and will once again be held at TD Garden in Boston.
Most expensive tickets
Tickets for Game 2 aren't quite as insanely pricey as Game 1. The most expensive ticket available for purchase for Sunday's contest is worth $15,432 and is located in the row directly behind the broadcast table. How much is being on television worth to you? If the answer is over 15 grand, then you have a great opportunity here.
Cheapest tickets
In an interesting contrast, the cheapest available tickets for Game 2 are pricier than Game 1. A ticket to sit in the 300-level with your back against the wall starts at $729 and rises pretty rapidly to over $800.
Game 3 of this year's Finals will be in Dallas at American Airlines Center and is scheduled for Wednesday, June 12 at 8:30 p.m. ET. It'll be the first Finals game for the Mavericks since Dirk Nowitzki's epic 2011-12 run that culminated in the organization's first and only championship. Safe to say the place will be loud and packed to the brim.
Most expensive tickets
It should not surprise you, reader, to learn that the supply and demand for Finals tickets is the same south of the Mason-Dixon Line. The most expensive ticket to purchase for the Mavs' first home game of the Finals is going for $12,650 in section 107—right at mid-court, but not courtside. The best view in the house.
Cheapest tickets
Interestingly, it is even more expensive to just get in the door for the first Dallas game. The cheapest ticket available is in section 302 and going for $770. There are only five other tickets available for fewer than $800.
Game 4 is scheduled for Friday, June 14 at 8:30 p.m. ET. If things go extremely well for one side it could be a closeout game. But with how good both teams are, it seems more likely it'll be a pivotal but not potentially season-ending contest.
Most expensive tickets
The market does not care if you agree with the above sentiments. The tickets are still going to be pricey. In fact, even more so than Game 3. Perhaps in anticipation of a Mavericks or Celtics sweep, the most expensive ticket for Game 4 is on the baseline right next to the Dallas bench, going for a cool $24,000. That is by far the most expensive seat in the arena; most of the high-end tickets are in that same $12,000 range as Game 3.
Cheapest tickets
Continuing on the above trend, Game 4 brings the highest price of admission yet. The cheapest ticket available clocks in at a cool $893 per seat in section 319 at the terrace level. Bring your binoculars.
Ticket prices for Games 5-7 are more likely to fluctuate based on what happens in the series, seeing as there is a non-zero chance those games do not even happen. So we'll keep it at four. For now. Enjoy the basketball and more power to you if you are willing and able to pull the trigger on these ticket prices.
There is no shortage of respect from Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd towards Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown.
Despite Brown being snubbed from both the All-NBA and All-Defensive teams this season, he has keyed the Celtics' playoff run, showing incredible two-way prowess en route to capturing Eastern Conference finals MVP.
Brown continued the momentum into Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday, scoring a team-high 22 points, while adding six rebounds, two assists, three blocks and three steals in Boston's 107-89 win in Game 1.
Kidd was asked about the difficulty of game-planning for Brown, and his message was clear.
"Well, Jaylen's their best player," Kidd said during Saturday's media availability. "Just looking at what he does defensively. He picked up Luka full court. He got to the free throw line. He did everything, and that's what your best player does. Just understanding he plays both sides defensively and offensively at a high rate, and he's been doing that the whole playoffs.
"We talk about the Eastern Conference MVP, and it seems like he's continued to pick up where he left off. So he's playing at a high rate. We just got to be a little more physical with him and again, we gotta keep him off the free throw line and out of the paint, because he was finishing at a high rate or getting fouled and getting to the free throw line."
Jason Kidd was asked what makes going up against Jaylen Brown so challenging:
Brown has been Boston's most consistent player throughout the playoff run thus far, even if he doesn't garner the accolades like his teammate and first-team All-NBA selection Jayson Tatum.
Regardless, the Celtics will need both Brown and Tatum to be at their best in order to capture the franchise's 18th title this month.
Game 2 between the Celtics and Mavericks is set for 8 p.m. ET on Sunday at TD Garden in Boston.
