NBA Finals 2024 Game 1 LIVE updates: Porzingis blocks Green, fires up Celtics to lead over Mavs

This first half was all Boston and the Mavericks were a shadow of themselves defensively and miles off their best offensively.

Porzingis has a game-high 18 points for Boston and Doncic has 17 for the Mavs.

It’s worth noting the Mavs have previously been down big margins in game ones of other series and comeback to win but this is the NBA Finals and this Boston team are fired up to win the title.

They can’t let them get this confident and expect it will end well.

“I don’t think even Porzingis’ family would have expected this after so long out” – ESPN’s Mike Breen exclaimed after the Celtics big man nailed another long three-pointer.

He has 18 points in this first half on his return from 10 games out with injury.

BOS 63, DAL 39 late Q2.

It’s been a scrappy couple of minutes for both teams with turnovers and missed shots but the Mavs have big issues as their roles players just aren’t producing anything offensively.

PJ Washington, who has been a revelation in the playoffs, just missed two free throws and that says it all when it comes to the visitors.

Thank goodness they have Doncic who just made a fade away but the usually high-scoring Mavs have barely scored 30 points in the first half.

We haven’t seen Exum yet, might be time for Dallas to give him a run.

BOS 58, DAL 33 with two mins to go in Q2.

Jaylen Brown made the ninth three of the first-half for Boston and seconds later stole the ball and threw down a dunk.

This is why Boston has only two games in the playoffs.

Dallas has to do something or this will be over by half-time.

BOS 58, DAL 29 with four mins to go in Q2.

Porzingis is up to 15 points and the lead is out to 21 points and the home fans are loving every moment, including actor Mark Wahlberg who is carrying on in a courtside seat.

Dallas just don’t have a match-up for the big Latvian and Boston is riding his hot streak.

Just as importantly, the Mavs need to get Luka Doncic some easy looks. He has eight points and an assist but every shot has been a difficult one.

BOS 48, DAL 27 with six mins to go in Q2.

Outside of Irving, this is the first time in the NBA Finals for the rest of the Mavs and they are playing tight in this first half.

Doncic is missing shots and he’s being denied chances to setup buckets for his teammates.

You see this a lot with less experienced groups, especially in game ones.

Mavs are 2/10 from three-point land, Celtics are eight of 20.

BOS 44, DAL 27 with seven mins to go in Q2.

That was the largest quarter-time lead in NBA Finals history according to ESPN but Irving told the broadcast that his side has to stay confident.

“Experience is the best teacher,” Irving told ESPN.

Porzingis has the Boston crowd getting so crazy they might burst ESPN’s microphones.

He just nailed a three from two steps behind the line and followed it up with another block.

Moments later, Green was on a fast break and tried to dunk it on the 2.18m Celtic, instead Porzingis got up and denied the Aussie at the rim.

Porzingis has 11 points and three blocks while Boston has a 17-point lead at the break.