It wasn’t arrogance or exaggerated comments. The regular season was in its final week. The Mavericks had just secured a sectional title, and Kyrie Irving was asked about what that meant to him.
“We know the work is not finished. We’re just getting started,” Irving said in Miami that evening.
He was right. After going through February and March seemingly stuck outside the top 6 (26-23 after 49 games), Dallas found the right path just in time. The reward is reaching the NBA Finals.
This will begin Thursday in Boston, when the two clubs with the best record since February 1 will face off. Boston has since gone 39-9, compared to 36-15 for the Mavericks.
Before February 1, Boston already dominated the circuit, while the Mavericks were 14th in the league.
“It’s rare to go from the lottery to a spot in the Finals,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. But we felt like we had what we needed. »
Since the acquisitions of Daniel Gafford and PJ Washington in February, the Texan clan has notably delivered a 16-2 streak.
“Our positive attitude has worked wonders since the start of the playoffs,” Irving said. It guides us before the match and throughout the matches. »
Since the start of spring ball, Dallas has gone 11-1 in games where the team has scored more than 100 points.
The Mavericks are undefeated in their last five road games.
Irving has already won a final and Kidd did it too when he was playing – with Dallas in 2011. As for star player Luka Doncic, he will be making his first appearance in the final round.
Irving was telling the truth: the Mavericks were just getting started. Now they have the chance to take it all.
“I think we have a great team,” Doncic said. We have some fabulous guys among the players, but also on the coaching staff. We are a united group. »
