The NBA Finals will tip off Thursday night with the Boston Celtics hosting the Dallas Mavericks, a matchup pitting two of the league’s top duos against one another.
Dallas is led by a backcourt of the do-everything Slovenian guard Luka Doncic and resurgent eight-time All-Star Kyrie Irving. Boston uses the incredible versatility of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, two young stars entering their prime.
Who has the edge heading into Game 1? Let’s break down the biggest storylines.
The Celtics (64-18) were arguably the most well-rounded team in the NBA this season. They finished with an offensive rating of 123.2, not only the best in the league but in league history. Boston’s defense wasn’t shabby either, ending the regular season with a 111.6 rating, third best in the NBA.