Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks was eagerly anticipated by fans at the TD Garden. The excitement was palpable as the Celtics prepared for the game. The arena buzzed with activity early in the morning, with Celtics-branded shirts placed on the seats. The shirts read, “You got Boston,” in response to opposing teams’ chants of “We want Boston.” The game was scheduled to start at 8:30 p.m., but the Celtics had been building anticipation for almost 24 hours with a hype video featuring Patriots legend Tom Brady as the narrator. Brady’s message was clear: “You want Boston? Take it from me, that’s a bad idea.”
The Celtics had last played on May 27, when they completed a sweep of the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals. Now, their sights were set on the NBA Finals. The return of Kristaps Porzingis, who had been sidelined since Game 4 of the Celtics’ playoff series against the Miami Heat due to a calf injury, added to the excitement. Porzingis expressed his anticipation, saying, “In this kind of environment, it’s going to be special. It’s going to be goosebumps, for sure.”
Jayson Tatum, a forward for the Celtics, acknowledged the significance of the moment as well. He reflected on the legacy of great players who had worn the Celtics uniform and vowed to never take the opportunity for granted. The Celtics entered the series as favorites to beat the Dallas Mavericks, and Tatum’s confidence in his team was evident.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla emphasized the importance of focusing on the game and blocking out distractions. He wanted his team to treat the NBA Finals like any other game and execute their strategies with precision. Mazzulla believed that the toughest team, the team that made the most plays and executed details at a high level, would ultimately win.
The spotlight was also on Kyrie Irving, a former Celtic who now played for the Dallas Mavericks. Irving had a history of feuds with Boston fans since leaving the team. However, he expressed a desire to leave the bad blood behind and focus on the Finals. He acknowledged his past mistakes, including an incident where he raised his middle fingers to the TD Garden crowd, and claimed it was not a reflection of who he was. Irving spoke highly of his former team, recognizing their improvement.
Some Celtics fans noticed Irving’s change in tone and believed that he had matured. However, there was still a sense of revenge among fans who wanted to see the Celtics defeat Irving. They anticipated a hostile reception for Irving, but he advised his teammates not to overthink it and to stay focused on the game.
Tickets for Game 1 were in high demand, with prices soaring. The cheapest tickets were selling for over $800, while loge tickets went past $1,400, and floor seats cost more than $25,000. For those unable to secure tickets, watch parties were arranged at local businesses, and Canal Street outside the TD Garden was closed to traffic to accommodate fans walking to and from the game.
In conclusion, the NBA Finals matchup between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks generated significant excitement among fans. The return of Kristaps Porzingis added to the anticipation, while Kyrie Irving’s presence as a former Celtic created a sense of revenge among some fans. The Celtics aimed to stay focused and execute their game plan, treating the Finals like any other game. The high demand for tickets reflected the intensity surrounding the series, but alternative options such as watch parties provided opportunities for fans to join in the excitement.
