Win or lose, the NBA finals are right around the corner. 82 games in the regular season, followed by the Playoff series will determine who plays for the ultimate title. The Boston Celtics will meet the Dallas Mavericks for the Championship series. Game one of the NBA 2023-34 Championships will begin on June 6.
A few questions loom as the conference champs match up to claim the title. At this point in the season, injuries plague each team. How will it affect each team? The Celtics have been without Kristaps Porzingis for much of their series leading to the finals. Porzingis has been out with a calf strain. He has averaged 20.1 points and 7.8 rebounds throughout the regular season, leaving an impact on the court. The Celtics need him healthy. On the other hand, the Mavericks have a few injuries of their own. Derrick Lively is questionable with a neck strain, while Luka Doncic works through knee and ankle pain. Both Doncic and Lively could leave a big hole in the Maverick's ability to play effectively if they are out.
Given the injuries to each team, the strength of the bench players becomes more valuable. According to Statmuse, the Boston Celtics have a net rating of 13.7, much higher than the Dallas Maverick’s -6.6 net rating. This statistic could play an important role in the Finals series. Bench players need to be ready to step in at any time to relieve the starters, many of whom have been playing with and through injury. In this case, it is clear that the Celtics bench players are much more effective than the Mavericks bench players.
Will home-court advantage matter in the finals? Simply put, yes. According to SportsHandle, over the last 10 years, the team with home-court advantage has a 54.39 percent chance of winning the championship. Considering the Celtics have a better regular season record, they will be awarded home-court advantage.
Team chemistry might be the most underestimated factor in determining a winning team. NBA enthusiast, Geoff Pugh, said “I think people tend to undervalue the role that team chemistry plays in professional sports. Some NBA front offices have a mindset of “let’s just get all the most talented players available, stick them on the same team, and win a championship!” and we watch every year as these “superteams” crumble under the weight of their own egos. It happens every single year.” He explains that teams who go on to win championships usually aren’t swinging for the fences with trades for the “superstars”. “They’re drafting well, and the pieces they add through trades are only meant to further compliment what the team is already doing,” he said. The Celtics and Mavericks are both examples of team chemistry working to their advantage. But who will come out on top?
With an implied probability of 69.23 percent, analysts from Laker’s Nation agree the Boston Celtics are the team to beat in this year’s Finals. All statistics and odds point to them taking it all. However, the Dallas Mavericks might come out with a chip on their shoulder, ready to prove everyone wrong.
