Temperatures are rising across the planet and the heat from the 2023/24 National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals is particularly simmering. The Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks are embroiled in an epic battle of wits and wills, with Boston managing to forge ahead in the contest.

Amidst the backdrop of Kyrie Irving returning to TD Garden, where he played for the Celtics from 2017-2019, after a 2017 trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the return from injury of Kristaps Porzingis after a 38-day absence due to a left calf strain, the best-of-seven series started last week Thursday (June 7), in Boston.

Since his departure from Boston, Irving’s relationship with the Celtics’ fan base has been hostile, following his infamous 2019 defection to the Brooklyn Nets to join Kevin Durant and James Harden, where he stayed until 2023. Things really soured because Irving had dismissed talks of his impending free agency at the onset of the 2018/19 season and spoke of a long-term deal for himself in Boston, then he left. And the Celtics fans felt betrayed.

It wasn’t common knowledge at that time, but discussions had taken place between the Celtics and the New York Knicks in 2019 regarding an Irving trade; however, it never materialised. Irving was reportedly offered to New York in exchange for Porzingis, who ended up in Dallas where his time was also tumultuous.

Porzingis played for the Mavericks from 2019 to 2022 alongside this year’s scoring champion, Luka Doncic, before he was traded to the Washington Wizards at the 2022 trade deadline, then came to Boston in a three-team trade last summer. His tenure in Dallas was plagued by injuries and fell short of expectation; however, a rumoured beef with Doncic was reportedly central to his departure.

Both Doncic and Porzingis have downplayed the rumour but the added motivation of bettering the team from which he was discarded cannot be ignored. Add that to Boston’s dislike for Irving — fuelled by some of his own antics — plus the Celtics’ desire to become the winningest team in NBA championship history, and the finals could not be spicier. Now, after finishing the regular season with the best record in the NBA, then entering the finals with a 12-2 postseason record, the Celtics face the Mavericks, who are seeking to become the lowest seeded team to ever hoist the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy, as overwhelming JustBet favourites.

The NBA paid tribute to their former big man, Bill Walton, ahead of the start of Game 1 last Thursday, then their current big man, Porzingis, stood tall and rose to the occasion. The 28-year-old hadn’t played since Game 4 of the Celtics’ first-round series vs Miami Heat but showed very little sign of rust, if any. He individually dominated his former team — finishing with 20 points off the bench — and the rest of the Celtics followed suit, with all starters putting up double-digit points.

Before a raucous home crowd, the Celtics completely overpowered their opponents in a 107-89 win, showing no ill-effect from the 10-day layoff after sweeping the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals. Jaylen Brown (22 points) continued his incredible play-off form, Jayson Tatum chipped in with a double-double (16 points, 11 rebounds), and Derick White supported the big three with 15 points and five assists.

Doncic’s game-high 30-point performance proved insufficient and Irving, who received unceremonious attention each time he touched the ball, was kept in check all night. Dallas had only nine assists — compared to 23 for Boston — which was the most compelling statistic from the encounter and matched the same number of blocks for Boston.

After having drawn first blood, Game 2 last Sunday (June 9) was a much tighter affair, but Jrue Holiday (26), Jaylen Brown (21) and Jayson Tatum (18) combined for 65 points to neutralise a triple-double performance by Doncic (32 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists). Doncic, who was listed as questionable to play with less than two hours before the opening tip off, received insufficient support from Irving and the 98-105 loss meant a 0-2 deficit for the Western Conference’s fifth seed.

Falling behind 3-0 in a best-of-seven series is the kiss of death in the NBA as no team has ever recovered from that position to win any play-off series. With that in mind, and with Porzingis unavailable due to a left leg injury suffered in the previous game, Dallas entered Game 3 on Wednesday (June 12) night with guns blazing: Irving had 20 first half points, Doncic had 17, and Tatum was the only Boston player with double-digit points to start the third quarter.

However, trailing 50-51 to start the second half, Boston went on a tear and outscored Dallas 35-17 in the third quarter, to set up a critical fourth. The Celtics built up a 21-point lead early in the fourth but, with their backs on the rope, the Mavericks cut the lead to only three with 6:11 left in the game. Unfortunately, Doncic (27 points) appeared to let his frustrations get the better of him and fouled out with 4:12 remaining. The Mavericks never gained the lead, losing 99-106 and entered the ghastly 0-3 black hole.

Irving played his best game of these play-offs, scoring 35 points, but Tatum and Brown had 31 and 30, respectively, to seal the win. Game 4 is tonight and a repeat performance from Irving will be critical if the Mavericks are to avoid the dreaded sweep. The Celtics are hoping to become the first team since the 2016/17 Golden State Warriors to have the league’s best regular season record and win the finals in the same season, plus they would better the Los Angeles Lakers with their 18th league title. They have one hand on the trophy and will be going all-out to finish the season tonight. It is left to be seen how Dallas will respond now that they are staring directly into the jaws of defeat.

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NBA 2023/24 Finals – Game 4 Odds

Team Odds

Dallas Mavericks 1.86

Boston Celtics 1.90

Note: Odds are subject to change