Betnuvo
Olympic Sports
News, Blog and GuidesThe Dominican center recorded 10 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two blocked shots after participating in 29:48 minutes in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Gustavo GarcíaSvetozar PavlovićceletozasvetaEstados UnidosUpdate: Jun 7th, 2024 01:25 EDT
Peter CaseyUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
The Boston Celtics dominated Game 1 of the NBA Finals from start to finish and beat the Dallas Mavericks 107-89. Although Kristaps Porzings reached the NBA finals healthy after being injured in the first round of the playoffs against the Miami Heat, Joe Mazzulla chose Al Horford as the starting center for the first of the series. The man from the Dominican Republic recorded 10 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two blocked shots after participating in 29:48 minutes.
The player from Puerto Plata won the tip-off against Daniel Gafford, and the Dominican’s first basket of the game was a dunk assisted by Jayson Tatum. Porzingis replaced Horford with 7:17 left in the opening quarter after hitting a 3-pointer and assisting on Jaylen Brown’s breaking ball.
JAYLEN BROWN STEAL-AND-SLAM 🔥BOSTON IS LOUD‼️ pic.twitter.com/lIeoKeRGz6
— ESPN (@espn) June 7, 2024
Horford returned to the court to open the second quarter, and in this period, he stood out for his effort on the boards after playing 12 minutes. The rebounds recovered by the Dominican giant were required to limit Dereck Lively’s power in the painted area. The Celtics’ rotation was so good that ‘42′ added his second assist on a Brown triple.
The third half was slow for Horford on offense but with efficiency. The center got a rebound and blocked a step back from Luka Doncic before leaving the court with 6:54 left to play. The Dominican returned with 2:44 on the clock and missed a triple on his first opportunity. His next long-distance chance was successful, and he put the Celtics within 19 points with a score of 83-64.
Full screen
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 06: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots the ball against Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics during the third quarter in Game One of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 06, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Adam Glanzman/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Adam Glanzman / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)ADAM GLANZMANAFP
