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2024 NBA Finals: Celtics Seek Championship Glory Against Mavericks

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Game 1 Preview: Celtics Host Mavericks in Finals Opener

The highly anticipated 2024 NBA Finals have arrived, with the Boston Celtics hosting the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 on Thursday night. The Celtics are considered the favorites heading into the series, boasting home-court advantage and a strong regular season performance.

Key Storylines

* The Celtics have a "championship or bust" mentality this year after falling in the Finals last season. * The Mavericks are the surprise team of the playoffs, having upset the top-seeded Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference Finals. * Luka Dončić, the Mavericks' young superstar, will face a tough test against the Celtics' elite defense, led by Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart. * Jason Tatum, the Celtics' leading scorer, will be tasked with carrying the offensive load and delivering a championship for Boston.

Live coverage of the game will be available on ESPN. BetMGM, an authorized gaming operator of the NBA, has released the latest odds for Game 1, with the Celtics favored to win at home. Full game highlights will be uploaded to YouTube after the game concludes.