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News, Blog and GuidesWhite was one of the Celtics’ key players in the Game 1 win in Boston bagging 15 points in the series opener.
Paul Reidypaulreidy67Update: Jun 7th, 2024 04:50 EDT
David Butler IIUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
The Boston Celtics are looking to claim their first NBA Championship since 2008 and should they overcome the Dallas Mavericks in the best of seven series, they would edge past arch rivals LA Lakers with 18 NBA titles to the 17 secured by the team from the City of Angels.
Any fears that Celtics fans may have held that the ‘ghosts of the 2022 defeat at the hands of the Warriors’ were quickly dispelled on Thursday night as a packed TD Garden watched the home side dismantle Dallas Mavericks with little trouble as part of a 89-107 Game 1 win.
THAT'S ONE ☝️#DifferentHere pic.twitter.com/0PLNoZMIjX
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) June 7, 2024
Porzingis impact
Jaylen Brown scored 22 points, with Latvian star Kristaps Porzingis back on court after missing ten games with the 28-year-old making an immediate impact off the bench adding 20 on his comeback.
The seven foot tall Porzingis had been sidelined since April 29, added six rebounds and three blocks in 21 minutes.
“Tonight was affirmation to myself that I’m pretty good,” Porzingis said jokingly. “I’m not perfect but I can play like this and I can add to this team.”
The last Celtics player to enter the court for pregame warmups, he said he received a jolt of energy from a home crowd, which erupted when he emerged from the tunnel.
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Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) Maddie MeyerUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
“The adrenaline was pumping through my veins,” Porzingis said.
Jayson Tatum bagged 16 points and Derrick White finished the night with 15 points for Boston in an emphatic start in their quest for an 18th NBA title.
White, unsung hero
A regular fixture in the Celtics team, playing 82 games last season and has already racked up 73 appearances in the 23-24 campaign.
