(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
This year’s NBA Finals may not feature the sexiest matchup possible, but it does have the potential to end up being an excellent and very competitive series.
The favored Boston Celtics will host the Dallas Mavericks when the series tips off on Thursday, and the matchup will feature three of the league’s best stars: Jayson Tatum, Kyrie Irving, and Luka Doncic.
Although most are picking the Celtics to win it all, Shaquille O’Neal, who won four rings during his legendary career, feels the question is: “Can they get it done?”
.@SHAQ: “I think the most significant storyline that I’m focusing on is, CAN the Boston Celtics get it done?” pic.twitter.com/VzzpQDkXsW
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 6, 2024
During the regular season, Boston was the NBA’s best team, and they won 64 games while finishing first in offensive rating and blocks per game and second in points per game, defensive rating, and 3-point accuracy.
They sliced through their first three playoff opponents while losing just two games, but critics say they had it very easy since a number of stars in the Eastern Conference were hurt.
Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat, Boston’s first-round opponent, was out, and Donovan Mitchell wasn’t 100 percent when Boston faced his Cleveland Cavaliers in the next round.
In addition, the New York Knicks, who had the East’s second seed, had a number of key players go down with injuries, while Giannis Antetokounmpo didn’t play in the postseason because of a calf injury.
For years, people have been anticipating that the Celtics would someday win it all, but after already losing in the finals in 2022 and losing in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals last year, there is a real sense of urgency this time around.
If they don’t get the job done, their chances of doing so later will likely diminish greatly.
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