The 2024 NBA Finals are set to ignite an unprecedented showdown as the Boston Celtics, led by five-time All-Star Jayson Tatum and three-time All-Star Jaylen Brown, welcome the Dallas Mavericks, featuring five-time All-Star Luka Doncic and eight-time All-Star Kyrie Irving, to the iconic TD Garden.
The opening game is scheduled to commence at 3:30 a.m. EAT on Friday, marking the first-ever Finals face-off between the two teams.
This year’s Finals are particularly historic, as they guarantee a sixth different NBA champion in as many seasons a; rarity that has only occurred once before in the league’s storied history, between 1974-75 and 1979-80.
The Celtics have dominated the Eastern Conference, finishing the regular season with an impressive 64-18 record and losing just two games in the playoffs. They enter the Finals well-rested, their last victory being a clean sweep against the Indiana Pacers on May 27th.
Tatum has been a standout performer this postseason, averaging 26 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game. He acknowledges the weight of the Celtics’ legacy, stating, “We only hang NBA championship banners, right? 17 of them. Some of the greatest players to ever play this game wore this uniform. All of us are honored to follow in their footsteps, the way they paved for us to live out our dream.”
The Mavericks are making their first Finals appearance since their 2011 championship run, with Doncic leading the charge. His playoff performance has been stellar, averaging 28.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, 8.8 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. Doncic, the 2023-24 NBA scoring leader, holds the second-highest career playoff scoring average in NBA history, trailing only behind the legendary Michael Jordan.
Both teams have proven their mettle on the road during these playoffs. The Celtics boast an unbeaten away record (6-0), while the Mavericks have secured five consecutive road victories, with an overall 7-2 away record this postseason.
In their regular-season encounters, the Celtics emerged victorious in both matchups, defeating the Mavericks 119-110 in Dallas on January 22nd, and 138-110 in Boston on March 1st.
Kenyan fans can catch the action live on ESPN, stream it via NBA League Pass, or watch delayed broadcasts on NTV. The Finals schedule is as follows:
- Game 1: Celtics vs. Mavericks, June 7th (3:30 a.m. EAT)
- Game 2: Celtics vs. Mavericks, June 10th (3:00 a.m. EAT)
- Game 3: Mavericks vs. Celtics, June 13th (3:30 a.m. EAT)
- Game 4: Mavericks vs. Celtics, June 15th (3:30 a.m. EAT)
- Game 5: Celtics vs. Mavericks, June 18th (3:30 a.m. EAT)
- Game 6: Mavericks vs. Celtics, June 21st (3:30 a.m. EAT)
- Game 7: Celtics vs. Mavericks, June 24th (3:00 a.m. EAT)
