(Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
The Boston Celtics will be battle-tested for the first time in the playoffs.
Getting past the Miami Heat without Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier wasn’t much of a challenge, and they didn’t break a sweat to beat the hobbled Cleveland Cavaliers, either.
The Indiana Pacers put them against the ropes multiple times during the series, yet they still managed to find ways to win all four games.
Now, they’re going to face the tough challenge of trying to stop both Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
Needless to say, that’s easier said than done.
That’s why head coach Joe Mazzulla was brutally honest about that challenge, stating that there was no such thing as stopping them, adding that you could only defend them at a high level (via NBA).
“There is no ‘stopping’ them. There is defending them at a high level, and there’s playing a complete game because every part of the game is connected.”
– Coach Mazzulla breaks down the mental test of guarding Kyrie and Luka pic.twitter.com/k08QvaocHl
— NBA (@NBA) June 1, 2024
Of course, the Celtics are actually one of the few teams that could actually have some success against them.
Jrue Holiday is one of the few backcourt defenders who could stand a chance against Irving, all while Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and even Al Horford take turns and create levels and gaps to try and keep Doncic away from his spots.
The Minnesota Timberwolves tried to limit their teammates and allow them to do most of the scoring, and that proved to be the wrong approach.
This will be an interesting chess match, and Kyrie’s return to the TD Garden will be a big storyline within itself.
One thing’s for sure, this will be one of the most exciting NBA Finals series we’ve seen in quite a while.
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