BOSTON — Jayson Tatum’s first drive to the basket in the Finals drew Daniel Gafford, Derrick Jones Jr., and Luka Donu010diu0107. He passed and got Al Horford an open look from three. All five Mavericks watched him on the following possession with their backs to their assignments, two meeting him at the rim before he kicked to Derrick White for a corner three.
Tatum mostly played off-ball early in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Jrue Holiday carried the ball up the floor after the Mavs sold out on Tatum for two possessions. They even did so when he didn’t initiate offense, Holiday stepping to the free throw line, turning and seeing Dereck Lively II and Kyrie Irving jump to Tatum in trailing position at the sight of Holiday looking his way.