Boston Celtics fans made their feelings known as they welcomed Kyrie Irving back to TD Garden. The former Celtics player, now with the Dallas Mavericks, faced a barrage of boos and taunts from the crowd throughout the game.
Irving's return to Boston was less than stellar as he struggled on the court, scoring only 12 points on 6-for-19 shooting. He missed all five of his 3-point attempts and turned the ball over three times. The Celtics capitalized on Irving's off night, securing a 107-89 victory over the Mavericks.
Irving acknowledged his difficulties in Boston, stating, 'They have had my number a little bit.' Despite his past controversies and strained relationships with former teams, Irving has been a model teammate in Dallas.
The game saw Boston take a commanding 29-point lead in the first half, but Dallas mounted a comeback in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to eight points at one stage. However, crucial turnovers and missed shots by Irving allowed the Celtics to regain control and secure the win.
Irving's struggles in Boston have been a recurring theme, with the loss marking his 11th consecutive defeat against the Celtics. The hostile reception from fans included boos, chants, and reminders of past incidents involving Irving.
Despite the disappointing performance, Dallas coach Jason Kidd remained optimistic, highlighting the team's potential for improvement in Game 2. He emphasized the need to capitalize on scoring opportunities and build on the positive aspects of their play in the later stages of the game.
As the series progresses, Irving and the Mavericks will look to bounce back from their Game 1 defeat and make adjustments to challenge the Celtics. The intense atmosphere in Boston only adds to the drama of the NBA Finals matchup between these two competitive teams.
