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NBA Finals - Game 2BOS leads series 1-0

The overlooked strength that has Boston three wins from an NBA title

Boston is the prototype for modern NBA offenses. But the franchise sits three wins from banner 18 by dominating in one of basketball's core tenets.

2dBrian Windhorst
Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Ranking the title teams since 1999

Kevin Pelton updated his NBA champion rankings and projected where the Celtics or Mavs fall.

15hKevin Pelton

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    CELTICS TAKE GAME 1

    Lockdown defense, 3s and a unicorn: Game 1 revealed Boston's blueprint

    With a stifling defense and the return of their game-changing big man, Boston did what it was built for in a near-perfect Finals opener.

    2dTim Bontemps
    Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

    Biggest takeaways of Game 1 of the NBA Finals between Boston and Dallas

    Our NBA insiders break down their biggest takeaways from the Game 1.

    2dNBA Insiders

    LOOKING AHEAD TO THE DRAFT

    JUNE 26-27 ON ESPN NETWORKS

    Who's rising, falling ahead of the NBA draft? We updated our top 100 rankings

    From a top-10 pick who's injured to the Lakers' coaching news, here's how the player rankings have been impacted.

    2dJonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo
    Altan Gochar/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

    Best international prospects in the draft: Bios, stats and scouting reports

    From the stats that stand out to surprise facts, get to know more about Alex Sarr, Zaccharie Risacher and more.

    3dJonathan Givony

    ROUGH START FOR THE MAVERICKS

    Stephen A: Kyrie 'didn't seem ready' in Game 1 vs. Celtics

    1d
    1:56

    OFFSEASON BUZZ

    Offseason sleeper teams: How the Bulls, Blazers, Jazz, Pelicans and Spurs could make big moves

    Chicago, led by Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan, is one of a handful of teams in prime position to be busy this summer.

    2dBobby Marks
    (Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire)

    REACTING TO GAME 1

    Why Stephen A. thinks Game 1 loss was a bad game and sign for Mavs

    1d
    2:48

    Alan Hahn: Mavs looked rattled in Game 1

    2d
    1:25

    TRENDING IN THE NBA

    'What's Up Doc?': Dirk Nowitzki recites Shaquille O'Neal's verse from 1993 single

    Dirk Nowitzki was one of the biggest fans of Shaquille O'Neal's music career -- and proved it on Shaq's podcast.

    3hKalan Hooks
    Kate Frese/NBAE via Getty Images

    LAKERS PURSUING HURLEY

    The five biggest questions surrounding the potential Dan Hurley-Lakers pairing

    Here's what we know so far -- and what it could mean for the future of LeBron, Bronny and the future of the Lakers franchise.

    2dESPN insiders
    David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

    Stephen A. isn't confident Dan Hurley will make the Lakers better

    1d
    2:20

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