By Alex Al-Kazzaz
The Dallas Mavericks have been on a tear as of late. The team has arguably had its best playoff run in franchise history. Yes, this run can potentially outshine their run in 2011 when the Mavericks won their first NBA championship. Nobody expected Dallas to make it to the NBA finals but here they are. And not surprisingly, the Mavericks are NOT favored to win. The Boston Celtics have been favorites since before the season even started. But Dallas and Boston have NOT had the same run in the playoffs.
Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving & Company have faced challenges this playoff run. Even the Los Angeles Clippers challenged the Mavericks in the first round, which Dallas overcame. The odds were not in Dallas' favor against the first-seeded Oklahoma City, and the Mavericks got it done in six games with a fantastic comeback in Game 6. Against the Minnesota Timberwolves, it was thought that it was the end of the line for Dallas, especially because Minnesota eliminated Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets, the defending NBA champions. And what did the Mavericks do? THEY ELIMINATED MINNESOTA...in FIVE games, winning all three road games of this series. Remember Luka's game-winning three-point shot? And his reaction to Rudy Gobert? Oh, and what about Luka's performance in Game 5? The Don's been on fire.
The Celtics are the overwhelming favorites. For Dallas, it's not the first time that they've NOT been favored in the finals. In 2011, the Miami Heat were the overwhelming favorites and Dallas pulled it off in six games to win their first title. Dallas is in the finals for the first time since their 2011 title triumph, and they're looking to win it all again.
Boston has not won an NBA title since 2008. Two years ago, they were in the finals with the Golden State Warriors. Boston has a complete team. It seems that it's inevitable that they win the title this year. However, back in 2011, the Miami Heat were a complete team, though they won it all in 2012 and 2013 respectively after falling to the Mavs. While Boston is the overwhelming favorite, the Mavericks are in a similar predicament.
Realistically speaking, it doesn't look like the Mavericks will bring the title home. But you never say never, right? The Mavericks made it this far and nobody expected them to do so. Even if the Mavs don't win it all, there's nothing that can be taken away.
It'll be interesting to see how Kyrie Irving does against his former team. Celtics fans don't take kindly to him already anyway. But wouldn't it be something if he were to dominate in the finals and play a huge part in helping the Mavericks win the title, if the Mavericks get the job done?
Boston is determined to win their first title in over 15 years. Boston WANTS that title so badly that they'll do everything to take it. Can Dallas challenge Boston? Does Dallas have any chance? Dallas has been doubted in the playoffs on more than one occasion and so far they've proved doubters wrong. Can they do it this time? It's a long shot in the dark.
If Dallas is to pull it off, they'll need to play DEFENSE, DEFENSE, DEFENSE! And they'll need to keep the offense alive and on fire. They HAVE to make those THREES! The Luka and Kyrie duo will have to do their best, but they'll need the support of their teammates, too. Neither Luka nor Kyrie should have to carry the team. If Dallas wants to win it all, they must play and win AS A TEAM. It is the only way.