ESPN
Jun 15, 2024, 01:43 AM ET
The 2024 NBA Finals are here! Only two teams remain standing in the postseason as the best-of-seven series between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks tipped off on June 6 (watch every game on ABC and the ESPN app).
The Celtics clinched the Eastern Conference by sweeping the Indiana Pacers, continuing a postseason run where they've also ousted the Miami Heat and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Boston now eyes its 18th NBA Finals championship and returns to the series after losing in 2022 to the Golden State Warriors.
The Mavericks are back in the NBA Finals since winning the franchise's only title in 2011 after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves to claim the Western Conference. Dallas also eliminated the LA Clippers and the Oklahoma City Thunder before taking down the Timberwolves.
As the team with the better regular season record, Boston has home court advantage for the series. The series is played in a 2-2-1-1-1 format, with the Celtics hosting Games 1 and 2, with the Mavs hosting Games 3 and 4. If necessary, Boston will host Games 5 and 7, with Dallas hosting Game 6.
Follow along for latest news, updates, highlights and more.
MORE: Conf. finals recap | Second-round | First round |
Offseason questions
NBA FINALS
Boston Celtics lead Dallas Mavericks, 3-1
Game 1: Celtics 107, Mavericks 89
Game 2: Celtics 105, Mavericks 98
Game 3: Celtics 106, Mavericks 99
Game 4: Mavericks 122, Celtics 84
Game 5: Monday, June 17 at Boston. 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Game 6*: Thursday, June 20 at Dallas, 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Game 7*: Sunday, June 23 at Boston, 8 p.m. ET (ABC)
*If necessary
Game 4: Mavericks 122, Celtics 84
Recap | Box Score | Highlights
Luka Doncic answers critics in dominant Game 4, keeps Mavs alive
Celtics flop with chance to clinch NBA Finals: 'Have to reassemble'
NBA Finals 2024: Takeaways from a stunning Mavericks blowout
Mavs avoid sweep, win Game 4 in 3rd-largest NBA Finals rout
Mavs rout Celtics by 38 points to stay alive and force Game 5
The Mavericks record the third-largest margin of victory in NBA Finals history after beating the Celtics 122-84 in Dallas.
Jason Kidd on Mavs' effort in Game 4: 'It was this or vacation'
Jason Kidd discusses the Mavericks' improved play in Game 4 that helped Dallas avoid getting swept.
Luka on Mavs' defense in Game 4: 'Everybody was locked in'
Luka Doncic says he "doesn't pay much attention" to outside critics after the Mavericks held the Celtics to 84 points in Game 4 win.
Game 3: Celtics 106, Mavericks 99
Recap | Box Score | Highlights
Celtics beat Mavs in Game 3 of Finals to move one win from title
Mavs' Luka Doncic gripes about refs after fouling out in Game 3
Roundtable: Biggest questions from series defining Game 3
Best photos from Jaylen Brown's one-handed poster
Celtics survive furious 4th quarter to win Game 3
The Celtics repel a late surge from the Mavericks to win 106-99 and take a 3-0 lead in the NBA Finals.
Jrue Holiday keeps the play alive with unreal dime
Jrue Holiday makes a tough assist look effortless with a sensational dime to Derrick White for a 3-pointer.
Kyrie Irving nearly connects with game-changing triple
Kyrie Irving comes inches away from a major 3-pointer to put the Mavericks within a bucket, but comes up just short.
Game 2: Celtics 105, Mavericks 98
Recap | Box score | Highlights
Doncic posts triple double, takes blame for Mavericks' loss
Roundtable: Holiday's offensive explosion, biggest adjustments in Game 2
Herring: The 168 square feet that will determine this Celtics-Mavericks title clash
Best photos from Jaylen Brown's transition dunk
Celtics take 2-0 Finals lead behind dominant late surge
The Boston Celtics take a 2-0 series lead after coming alive in the second half to defeat the Dallas Mavericks.
Derrick White chases down P.J. Washington for incredible game-sealing block
P.J. Washington appears to have an open dunk, but Derrick White races back to reject him at the rim.
Game 1: Celtics 107, Mavericks 89
Recap | Box score | Highlights
Kristaps Porzingis' return sparks Celtics in Game 1 of NBA Finals
Mavericks' movement stymied by Celtics' defense in Game 1 loss
Roundtable: Porzingis' return, Dallas' adjustments
Pregame fits: Tatum, Luka and more Game 1 stars
Celtics dominant as they take Game 1 of the NBA Finals
The Celtics assert their dominance over the Mavericks in Game 1 as they win 107-89 behind strong performances from Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis.
Kristaps Porzingis steps up with 20 in return to Celtics' lineup
Kristaps Porzingis returns in a big way, scoring 20 points and collecting 3 blocks to help the Celtics take Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Jason Kidd addresses Mavs in locker room following Game 1 loss
Jason Kidd reflects on the good the Mavericks can pull from their Game 1 loss to the Celtics in the NBA Finals.
Latest news and coverage
Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis available for Game 4 'if necessary'
Bontemps: Jayson Tatum's journey to the cusp of Celtics history
Shelburne: The lessons Luka Doncic must learn to among the greats
Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis questionable for Game 4 of NBA Finals
Celtics still using 2023 failure as fuel to win NBA title No. 18
Luka Doncic admits to frustration, vows to have 'fun' after Game 3 loss
Shelburne: The Celtics' backbreaking strategy that has the Mavs on the brink
Lowe: The Mavericks have to pull all their levers in the NBA Finals
Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis (leg) out for Game 3
Mavs' Kyrie Irving tells Luka Doncic: 'I got to play better'
Sources: Luka Doncic had pain-killing shot before Game 2
Holmes: The 20-year bond between Brad Stevens and Celtics big man Al Horford
Brown: 'No reaction' to Kidd's assertion he's best Celtic
Windhorst: Why the Celtics' rebounding edge is an underrated key to the series
Jayson Tatum admits to NBA Finals pressure, wants to 'enjoy it'
Lowe: The sub-plots in the Mavs-Celtics series ... and who should win
Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: 'No ill will' towards Mavericks, Luka Doncic
Mavericks GM Nico Harrison signs multiyear contract extension
MacMahon: The $750K tanking fine that helped the Mavs land Lively
Kyrie reflects on Celts' tenure: 'That wasn't a great reflection of who I am'
Windhorst: The twists and turns that led Jrue Holiday back to the Finals
2024 NBA Preview: Big questions ahead of Mavericks-Celtics
Pelton: Why the Celtics have never been better equipped to win the Finals
MacMahon: Luka's TD passes are driving the Mavericks
MacMahon: Moves that turned Dallas into a real contender
How to watch the NBA Finals
All NBA Finals games will air on ABC and ESPN Radio. They will also be streamed on the ESPN app.
Which team has home-court advantage in the NBA Finals?
The Boston Celtics enter the Finals with home-court advantage over the Dallas Mavericks. Boston finished with a 64-18 regular season record, the best in the Eastern Conference and overall in the NBA. Dallas finished with a 50-32 record, the fifth best in the Western Conference.
Final 2023-24 NBA regular-season standings
Which team left standing has the most trips to the NBA Finals?
Here is a look at how both teams have fared in past trips to the NBA Finals:
The Boston Celtics have 23 NBA Finals appearances, with 17 championships. The 17 titles are tied with the Los Angeles Lakers for most in NBA history. Before this season, the Celtics' last Finals appearance was in 2022 (losing to the Golden State Warriors) and their most recent championship was in 2008 (defeating the Lakers).
The Dallas Mavericks have three NBA Finals appearances. Before this season, their most recent appearance -- and only championship -- was in 2011 when they defeated the Miami Heat. The Mavs reached the 2006 NBA Finals, losing to the Heat.
Which team has the best odds at winning the NBA Finals?
Check out which team has the best odds, as well as for who'll win the NBA Finals MVP.
For the most current odds go to ESPN BET
