Boston Celtics dominate Dallas Mavericks in NBA Finals Game 1 win

The GIST: With a glass ceiling smashed in the broadcast booth, the on-court action was lop-sidedly historic as the Boston Celtics defended the parquet, taking last night’s Game 1 vs. the Dallas Mavericks.

Celtics dominate from the opening tip: After accumulating the third-largest halftime lead in NBA Finals Game 1 history, the Cs cruised to a 107–89 win. Eastern Conference (EC) Finals MVP Jaylen Brown was a force on both ends of the floor while Kristaps Porziņģis was back like he never left, dropping 18 first-half points in his first game action since late April.

• And it wasn’t just the Cs superstars making it rain — an NBA Finals-record seven Boston hoopers hit multiple three-pointers. Teamwork always makes the dream work.

Game 2 preview: All went according to plan for the EC–best Celtics, who will look for a repeat performance in Sunday’s 8 p.m. ET Game 2 back at The Garden. A place for improvement? All-NBA First Teamer Jayson Tatum only netted 16 points last night. Perhaps he’s saving his best stuff for later.

• As for the Mavs, there’s a lot of work to be done. Luka Dončic managed a 30-point double-double, but his partner-in-buckets Kyrie Irving and the rest of the squad were uncharacteristically quiet — a testament to the Cs tough defense, but also the Mavs’ inability to hit their shots. It’s back to the drawing board if they want to even this thing up on Sunday.