P.J. Washington’s thought on Mavericks’ Game 1 struggles: After an extended gap between the Eastern Conference Finals and NBA Finals, it would not have been surprising if the Celtics began Game 1 on Thursday night a little tentatively.
Instead, Boston was inspired by a loud TD Garden crowd, as well as the return of center Kristaps Porzingis, charging to a massive first-half lead en route to a 107-89 Game 1 win. The Mavericks made a brief comeback attempt in the third quarter, but was largely unable to respond to Boston’s barrage of three-point shooting and smothering defense.