Mavs Fall Short in Game 1 of NBA Playoffs

Unstoppable Porziņģis Leads Celtics to Victory

Boston Shows Depth in Home Win

The Dallas Mavericks faced a disappointing start to their NBA playoff run, falling to the Boston Celtics 114-93 in Game 1 on Saturday night. Despite a strong performance from Luka Doncic, the Celtics showcased their depth and dominance on both ends of the court.

The return of Kristaps Porziņģis proved pivotal for Boston, as the Latvian big man scored 24 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. Porziņģis's presence allowed the Celtics to control the paint and limit the Mavericks' inside scoring. Jalen Brunson provided support with 24 points, while Donovan Mitchell added 23 for Dallas.

The Celtics' defense was suffocating, holding the Mavericks to just 42.6% shooting from the field. They also forced 16 turnovers and held Doncic to a relatively quiet night, with 23 points on 8-of-24 shooting.

The loss leaves a bitter taste for the Mavericks, who were hoping to make a strong start to their playoff campaign. They will need to make adjustments and find a way to overcome the Celtics' size and depth in the upcoming games. Game 2 of the series is set for Monday night in Boston.

As the series progresses, the Mavericks will need to find a way to contain Porziņģis and the Celtics' guards while also improving their shooting efficiency. The home-court advantage will shift to Dallas for Game 3, but they will need to show more determination and execution if they want to level the series.