Celtics vs Mavs: key questions of the late rematch
Tim Bontemps of AM850 answers the most important questions about the rematch of the NBA finals between the Celtics and Mavericks champions on Saturday.
The NBA 2025 rival week concludes on Saturday With four exciting confrontations, including A rematch of the 2024 finals between the Dallas Mavericks and the Boston Celtics.
What superstar will take command in this confrontation? Tim Bontemps of AM850 answers the most important questions about this game.
Look at the game in Disney+ in Mexico and ABC/ESPN3/AM850+ in the US.
Can Celtics reach the cavs for the first place in the east? Do you need to do it?
Boston He will not reach the Cleveland Cavaliers for the first position of the Conference of the East, and will not be worried about it.
The Celtics There are 5.5 games behind the cavs in the East Classification, and before Thursday’s game it was screened that eight games would end behind, according to the Basketball Power Index of AM850. It is not realistic to wait for Boston recover that type of deficit in the second half of the campaign, especially if the recent mediocre record of the Celtics (9-8 since December 23) and the taking of extremely precautionary measures when giving rest to their players throughout the season.
Ironically, The Celtics remind the Cavaliers led by LeBron James from 2015 to 2018. These teams never cared to have the first position of the conference (they only had it in one of those four seasons) and they always believed that they would be well winning a series of playoffs as visitors. As defenders, the Celtics They believe they can defeat Cavaliers in a series that begins in Cleveland. Instead, Boston will prioritize health in the final stretch.
What will be the biggest obstacle to the mavericks to return to the postseason?
Health. LEAD LIVELY II It will be offside for two or three months for an ankle fracture. Luka Doncic He has been out for several weeks for a spring in the calf. Kyrie Irving It is dealing with a persistent back problem, a worrying problem for any player, but particularly for a smaller base/escort that has had an excellent season and turns 33 in March.
Dallas He had seven players out of Thursday’s game against Oklahoma City Thunder, including four of his seven best players projected for rotation: Doncic, Lively, Klay Thompson and Naji Marshall. An entire force template is difficult to maintain for a long period of time, but The Mavericks have a 5-11 record since Doncic left the alignment.
Is this rematch of the NBA finals of 2024 ___?
Disappointing, even more is not because Doncic’s injury takes shine to the gameadded to the mediocre game of Boston In recent weeks. Out of Oklahoma City, the Mavs They still have the greatest potential of any team in the west and are also possibly the best bet to prevent the Thunder from reaching their first appearance in the NBA ends Since 2012.
When this game was included in the calendar, hope was that all stars face. The injury of Doncic I prevents that from happening.
