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NBA Finals Prediction: Can The Mavericks Knock Off The Super Team Celtics?

June 4, 2024 by newhiphopnews

The NBA finals are finally upon us. The Dallas Mavericks will take on the Boston Celtics on Thursday in what should be a fascinating series of basketball, featuring two teams that have had very different roads to the final. Through 82 games, the Boston Celtics ran through the league during the regular season, finishing with an impressive 64 wins under their belt. Dallas is a different story. The Mavs were a middling team with two superstars, but their fortunes changed with a fantastic trade deadline that brought in the likes of P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford. They finished the season with one of the best records after the All-Star break.

The two teams’ playoff journeys have also been vastly different. The Celtics cruised through the East to the Finals, facing overmatched competition. Add to the fact that several injuries of star players on the teams they were facing, like the Cavaliers and the Pacers, and you have a smooth run to the finals. On the other hand, the Mavericks have had a tough journey in the West, facing three 50-win teams in a row while dealing with several injuries of their own. The star-studded Finals matchup will feature several matchups and storylines. Kyrie is returning to Boston, and Porzingis is returning to Dallas. Will Jayson Tatum get his first title before Luka Doncic? The drama will undoubtedly be matched by the level of basketball that fans will be treated to. Who will come out on top? Let’s look at the matchups.

Kyrie Irving Returns To Boston

Kyrie Irving is returning to Boston after five years after his big move. Irving landed in Boston in 2017 after being traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he won a championship with LeBron James. He forced his way out of Boston in 2019. The Kyrie that was present then isn’t the same Kyrie that is in Dallas. He clearly wanted to venture out on his own and be the premier veteran on a team that could lead them to a championship. He was not up to the task in Boston or his next stop in Brooklyn, but this version of Kyrie seems to have learned from his mistakes and has stepped up as a leader. Nevertheless, Irving will not receive a warm welcome in Boston.

The Boston fans will heckle Irving like they have heckled a few other players. There is a lot of bad blood there between Irving and the fans. It’s no wonder Irving rarely plays in Boston anymore. Kyrie infamously stepped on the Celtics logo as a sign of disrespect; he has flipped off fans and astonishingly tried to cleanse the Boston arena with sage. The Kyrie return is probably the top of the list for drama in the Finals. It is unlikely the noise affects Kyrie Irving in Boston, but if he struggles early, Boston’s fans will feed into it and take it up a notch. Also of note will be his ex-teammate’s reception to him. Let’s see how the dap-ups before game 1 go between Kyrie, Jayson, and Jaylen.

Luka Doncic And Kyrie Irving Vs. Jaylen Brown And Jayson Tatum

Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are considered two of the best closers in the NBA. We saw their proficiency against the Timberwolves in late-game situations. Their shot-making ability and clutch play are both a big factor in the Finals. Luka is his own beast whose okay performances still see him dropping 30-point triple-doubles. The variety of defenders he has seen in the playoffs has been challenging, and Boston possesses great defenders to throw at him. Nevertheless, Luka has gone off on just about any defender that’s ever guarded him. Kyrie, on the other hand, might be pushed to be more of a facilitator, with the likes of the Celtic’s Jrue Holiday and Derrick White hounding him. Kyrie will look to be aggressive if Boston forces the ball out of Doncic’s hands.

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are as dynamic a duo as you have in the league. They both can fill it up and are good defenders. As a duo, they don’t complement each other at times, but their success in these playoffs is due to Tatum and the Brown’s offensive onslaught. The Mavericks have some range and versatile defenders to throw at them, but big numbers should be expected, no matter the matchups. This is the chance for Tatum and Brown to finally get over the hump and win an NBA title after years of falling short. When they are in attack mode, it’s something to behold but when they and their teammates continue to settle for 3-pointers, they get in trouble. Have they learned from their Finals failure against the Golden State Warriors two seasons ago? We will see.

Kristaps Porzingis Is Ready To Go For Game 1

Kristaps Porzingis is expected to return for Game 1 of the NBA Finals barring setback, per @ShamsCharania pic.twitter.com/iV3vfXjFC7

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 4, 2024

Kristaps Porzingis is now expected to return in game one of the NBA Finals. After sustaining a non-contact calf injury during Game 4 of the first round against the Miami Heat, Porzingis has not appeared in a game since April 29. In that time, the Celtics defeated the Heat 4-1, went on to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 4-1, and won the Eastern Conference Finals by sweeping the Indiana Pacers. Porzingis is the key that unlocked Boston’s powerhouse offense, which dominated the league. He is a knockdown 3-point shooter who can protect the rim like few players. He offers the Celtics a big advantage that can exploit mismatches and stretch the floor, which makes it much easier for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to attack.

Kristaps is also set to face his former team. His tenure with Luka Doncic and the Mavs was riddled with injury issues and a lack of chemistry between himself and Luka. The environment in Dallas will be particularly antagonistic towards the Latvian international. Dallas has some serious size with Daniel Gafford and rookie Dereck Lively II, but they will have to adjust to guarding Porzingis, who is a legit perimeter threat. His presence means Dallas will have to make some tough decisions defensively in the series. A big reason Dallas was so successful against the Wolves was because of the play of their bigs. Porzingis being healthy makes the 4 and 5 matchups something to keep an eye on.

Who Will Win The NBA Finals? Our Official Prediction

Indianapolis, IN – May 27: Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, right, hugs forward Oshae Brissett after winning Game 4 of the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals. (Photo by Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Our pick for the 2024 NBA champion is the Boston Celtics. They have been dominant like few teams have been in NBA history. The Dallas Mavericks are not a very deep team, and most of the responsibility will be shouldered by Luka and Kyrie. Boston will be able to rely on guys like Derrick White and Jrue Holiday to take the load off of their stars, and that will be the difference. Porzingis being healthy seals the deal. The Boston Celtics win the series in six hard-fought games, and Jayson Tatum takes home the Finals MVP Award.

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Snoop Dogg Was Loving Luka Doncic’s Trash Talk During Mavericks-Timberwolves Game 5

May 31, 2024 by newhiphopnews

As Luka Doncic led the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals, Snoop Dogg enjoyed the superstar’s trash-talking skills. As the Mavericks defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves, Doncic seemed to direct some disparaging remarks toward the rap icon, who was seated in the front row. This event was caught on camera by both the TV broadcast and spectator film from inside the arena. The Mavericks superstar could be seen saying, “Who’s crying, muthafucka?” in the direction of Snoop, who reacted by laughing.

Many people watching on TV thought the dig was aimed at Snoop, who was shown reacting to the trash talk. Subsequently, it was discovered that Doncic was indeed responding to a spectator sitting immediately behind Snoop, who had been making fun of the NBA All-Star the entire time. Snoop was spotted shaking his head in shock when Luka banked a three-pointer off the glass during the fourth quarter, demonstrating how much he loved the non-trash talk performance. Overall, Luka put on a show, and Snoop loved it.

Snoop Dogg Loves Luka Doncic’s Trash Talk

Naturally, Doncic had the last laugh as he led the Mavericks to a 123-103 victory over the Timberwolves. As a result, they will now play the Boston Celtics in the 2024 Finals, which get underway on June 6. In the first quarter, Doncic outscored the Timberwolves on his own, finishing with 20 points on 8 of 11 shots. Snoop Dogg was there to witness everything and is clearly down for Doncic’s trash talk and ability to back it up.

The Magic Johnson Western Conference MVP Award went to Luka Doncic. Next week, the Dallas Mavericks and the Boston Celtics will square off in the NBA Finals. There will be a lot on the line in this clash with some major star power. Luka Doncic is attempting to win his first title. Luka’s overall goal will be to establish himself as one of the greats with a chip. Overall, we are hoping to see Snoop Dogg get in on some NBA Finals action. Hopefully, for the Celtics, fans don’t poke at Luka because it did not go over well in Minnesota.

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Luka Doncic And Kyrie Irving Dismantle The Timberwolves To Send The Mavs To The NBA Finals

May 31, 2024 by newhiphopnews

The Dallas Mavericks are headed to the NBA finals after two supreme performances from their stars, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. The Mavs sent the Minnesota Timberwolves home on their own court, winning the series in five games. In order to win the series 4-1, Dallas easily defeated the Timberwolves in Game 5 of their series, defeating them 124-103. Dallas started out not in the first quarter, building a lead that would remain the entire game. Luka and Kyrie incredibly both poured in 36 points in the victory and refused to give the Wolves any chance.

Doncic, who played like the best player in the world in the first quarter, was the inspiration for everything. In the first quarter, Doncic outscored the Timberwolves on his own, finishing with 20 points on 8 of 11 shots. Then, as the Wolves had a chance to make a run in the second quarter, Kyrie started going off, destroying their hope of cutting the deficit before the half. By the time Doncic rejoined the game, the Mavericks had actually increased their advantage to 20 points. Dallas finished the first half on a huge high note, outscoring Minnesota 17–4 in the last 4:30 of the second quarter to lead 69–40 going into the locker room.

Luka Doncic And Kyrie Went Off

In the first half, Doncic and Irving combined for more points than the Timberwolves scored individually. They were nothing short of spectacular. While the latter finished with 19 points on 7-for-11 shooting, the former finished with 25 points on 10-for-16 shooting, six rebounds, three assists, and two rebounds. Dallas shot 61 percent overall and 60 percent from three, while Minnesota shot 34.1 percent overall and 16.7 percent from three. The Timberwolves seemed to lose all fight when the lead ballooned. They were soundly defeated and never really threatened to get back into the game.

Luka Doncic was awarded the Magic Johnson Western Conference MVP Award. The Dallas Mavericks will face the Boston Celtics next week in the NBA finals. The matchup will feature some serious star power with a lot on the line. Luka Doncic is looking for his first championship. All in all, Luka will be looking to cement his name with the greats with a chip.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Mavs Advance to NBA Finals with Stellar Performances from Doncic and Irving

May 31, 2024 by newhiphopnews

After a disappointing Game 4 loss at home, Dallas Mavericks stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving took full responsibility for failing to secure a spot in the NBA Finals.

They left no doubt in Game 5 on the road, leading the Mavs to a decisive 124-103 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. This win clinched the Mavericks’ third Finals appearance in franchise history and the first since their 2011 championship.

Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving combined for an impressive 72 points, with Doncic scoring 36 and Irving matching his total. Doncic’s performance earned him the Magic Johnson Trophy as the Western Conference Finals MVP. He began the game by outscoring the Timberwolves single-handedly in the first quarter, 20-19, and finished the series with averages of 32.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game. Doncic became the fifth player in the last 60 years to lead his team in total points, rebounds, and assists heading into the Finals, joining the ranks of LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, Tim Duncan, and Mavs coach Jason Kidd.

“I don’t take this moment for granted at all. It took me 7 long years,” Irving said.

Irving, who scored just 16 points in Game 4, bounced back with a career-high 36 points in a series-clinching game. His performance ensured the Mavericks’ victory and set up a Finals showdown with the Boston Celtics.

Despite strong efforts from Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns, who each scored 28 points, the Timberwolves could not extend their season. Their return to the Western Conference Finals after 20 years ended in disappointment.

Doncic and Irving’s 35+ points each marked the first time teammates have achieved this feat in a Conference Finals game since Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant in 2001. The Mavericks now look forward to their Finals matchup, aiming to capture their second NBA championship.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Mavs Advance to NBA Finals with Stellar Performances from Doncic and Irving first appeared on The Source.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Mavs Advance to NBA Finals with Stellar Performances from Doncic and Irving appeared first on The Source.

Snoop Dogg Loved Luka Doncic Trash Talking A Heckler Behind Snoop’s Seats In Minnesota

May 30, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Luka Doncic is one of the NBA’s best players when it comes to ripping an opposing team’s heart out on a big stage. There have been some pretty prominent examples in the past of Doncic finding a level that no one else in the league can reach when the Dallas Mavericks really need it — just ask the Phoenix Suns, as Doncic famously once walked into their building and ended their season in a Game 7 with an absolutely stunning performance.

While it’s not happening in a Game 7, Doncic painted his latest masterpiece on Thursday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The game took place in Target Center, and a win would mean that Dallas would move on to the NBA Finals. As such, Doncic had 25 at halftime, the Mavs went into the locker room with a 29 point lead, and everyone in the building was just totally deflated. In fact, Doncic got to use the second half of the game getting into it with fans, namely this one guy who appeared to call him a crybaby.

Luka Doncic is serving every heckler pic.twitter.com/aoTEZRIVSZ

— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) May 31, 2024

Well, Doncic finished a layup through traffic and drew a foul, and right after, he turned to the guy and had something to say. Sitting in front of the heckler was none other than Snoop Dogg, who thought Luka tearing into some dude was absolutely hilarious.

“Yeah! Who’s crying, motherf*cker!”

Luka Doncic to Snoop Dogg after the and-1 pic.twitter.com/kkzdXAGfua

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 31, 2024

Different angle of Luka Doncic talking trash to Snoop Dogg pic.twitter.com/LavtMiV4kT https://t.co/Pn4hVabYLx

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 31, 2024

Doncic wasn’t going at Snoop here, but boy, it would’ve been something if he did.

Luka Doncic Leads Mavs to Game 1 Victory in West Finals with 33 Points; Kyrie Irving Adds 30

May 23, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Luka Doncic scored 15 of his game-high 33 points in the 4th quarter, and Kyrie Irving added 30 as the Dallas Mavericks closed the game with a 10-3 run to secure a 108-105 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. Doncic and Irving combined for 63 points, improving Dallas to 15-8 this season when the duo scored 60+ points together.

In a tightly contested game where neither team held a double-digit lead, the Mavs and Wolves traded significant runs in the final period, with Dallas having the final answer. Minnesota outshot Dallas from beyond the arc, making 18 three-pointers to the Mavs’ six, giving them a 54-18 edge in points off threes. However, Dallas dominated the paint with a 62-38 advantage and shot an impressive 94.1% (16-17) from the free-throw line compared to Minnesota’s 61.1% (11-18).

Dallas became the fifth team in playoff history to win a game despite making at least 12 fewer threes than their opponent. The last team to achieve this was the Lakers, who defeated Golden State in last year’s second round despite a 15-three deficit.

Minnesota’s Jaden McDaniels led his team with 24 points, hitting a career-high six threes. Anthony Edwards contributed 19 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists, making five threes, while big men Naz Reid and Karl-Anthony Towns combined for five more.

Doncic, who scored 19 of his 33 points in the second half, including 15 in the fourth quarter, led the Mavs’ rally. Two years after exiting the West Finals against the Warriors, Doncic and Irving are now spearheading Dallas to a 1-0 lead in the series. The duo became the sixth pair of teammates to each score 30+ points in their first Conference Finals game together, the first since Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday in 2021 for Milwaukee.

Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals tips off on Friday at 8:30 ET on TNT.

The post Luka Doncic Leads Mavs to Game 1 Victory in West Finals with 33 Points; Kyrie Irving Adds 30 first appeared on The Source.

The post Luka Doncic Leads Mavs to Game 1 Victory in West Finals with 33 Points; Kyrie Irving Adds 30 appeared first on The Source.

Luka Doncic Post-Game Press Conference Interrupted By Hilarious NSFW Moment

May 10, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Luka Dončić balled out on Thursday night, leading the Dallas Mavericks to a victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Luka had a near triple-double, scoring 27 points in the win and looking once again like the offensive force he has been all year. As the Dallas Mavericks star was responding to a question from the media about his team’s NBA playoff victory on Thursday, the press conference was interrupted by sex noises. The moment was awkward and caught everybody in the postgame presser off guard especially Luka. Luka’s eyes got big in disbelief, and the superstar couldn’t help but laugh.

When the sounds stopped, Luka composed himself and joked, “I hope that’s not live.” Who was creating the groaning noises and where they were originating from is unknown. Whether it was live or an unfortunate video mishap is also yet to be confirmed. It’s a hilarious moment that capped off a great night for the Dallas Mavericks. Social media was thoroughly entertained by the moment and Luka’s response. It also caused speculation on what was going on in OKC after the game.

Luka Doncic’s Press Conference Interrupted by Sex Noises

When the Mavericks’ All-NBA guard was explaining the energy of his squad, he suddenly stopped talking and opened his eyes wide. For a few seconds, it sounded like the high-pitched moaning of a woman, and then it ceased. All Dončić could dois hang his head and cover his face with his hand while laughing. “Ok, um, moving on,” a reporter said while others in the press conference laughed. “I hope that’s not live,” Dončić said. fans have theorized a reporters bluetooth headphones died leading tothe noises being brodcast throughout the room. Whatever the case, it was hilarious and unexpected.

Luka and the Dallas Mavericks evened up the series with the Thunder 1-1. P.J. Washington lit the Thunder up hitting 7 threes pouring in 29 points to lead the Mavs in scoring. Kyrie was etremly unselfidh all night empowering his teammates. The Thunder played well but Dallas made more plays down the stretch. MVP runner up Shai Gigeous Alexander had a great game in the loss. The young Thunder will look to take back their series lead in Dallas. Hopefully for hoops fans, this series is nice and long becasue it is very entertaining.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Doncic and Washington Lead Mavs to Victory Over Thunder, Even Series

May 10, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Luka Doncic and P.J. Washington showcased their scoring prowess, combining for 58 points and a dozen 3-pointers as the Dallas Mavericks secured a 119-110 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, evening the series 1-1.

From the onset, the Mavs maintained control of the game, never trailing in the first half. However, a brief surge from OKC saw them take the lead for just over two minutes in the third quarter. Dallas swiftly regained momentum, with Tim Hardaway Jr. igniting a crucial 10-0 run midway through the third period, ultimately securing the victory. Hardaway Jr. contributed 13 of his 17 points in the second half, with his pivotal scoring burst proving instrumental in the Mavs’ success.

Despite a stellar performance from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who recorded a game-high 33 points along with 12 rebounds and 8 assists, the Thunder fell short. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren were the only other OKC players to reach double-digit scoring, with 20 and 11 points, respectively.

As the series moves to Dallas for the next two games, the Mavs will look to capitalize on their home-court advantage. Game 3 is scheduled for Saturday at 3:30 ET, airing on ABC, followed by Game 4 on Monday at 9:30 ET, broadcasted on TNT.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Doncic and Washington Lead Mavs to Victory Over Thunder, Even Series first appeared on The Source.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Luka Doncic Leads Mavericks to Series Victory Over Clippers

May 4, 2024 by newhiphopnews

In a hard-fought battle, Luka Doncic and the Mavericks clinched victory against the Clippers in the first round of the playoffs, winning the series in six games with a final score of 114-101.

Doncic, alongside teammate Kyrie Irving, orchestrated the Mavericks’ triumph with a combined effort of 58 points and 17 assists. Doncic dominated the first half, contributing 18 of his 28 points, while Irving took charge in the second half, scoring 28 of his 30 points during that period.

Irving’s consistent second-half performances were a highlight of the series, averaging 20 points per game after halftime.

Despite the Clippers’ resilient efforts, the Mavericks maintained control, repeatedly extending their lead whenever the Clippers threatened a comeback. Norman Powell led the Clippers’ scoring efforts with 20 points off the bench, supported by Paul George and James Harden, who combined for 34 points.

Looking ahead, the Mavericks are set to face the Thunder in the West Semifinals, with Game 1 scheduled for Tuesday at 9:30 PM ET on TNT.

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Jordan Luka 2 “Bright Mango” Release Details Revealed

April 24, 2024 by newhiphopnews

The Jordan Luka 2 is the latest addition to Luka Doncic’s signature sneaker line, poised to make a bold statement with its upcoming “Bright Mango” colorway. As one of the most promising young talents in the NBA, Doncic’s partnership with Jordan Brand has resulted in a sneaker that reflects his dynamic playing style and vibrant personality. The “Bright Mango” colorway showcases a vivid reddish-orange hue that immediately commands attention. This eye-catching color is symbolic of Doncic’s electrifying presence on the court.

Beyond its vibrant colorway, the Jordan Luka 2 boasts a sleek and modern design that prioritizes performance and comfort. Also, constructed with premium materials and innovative technology, this sneaker meets the rigorous demands of the game. From its responsive cushioning to its supportive fit, every aspect of the Jordan Luka 2 is designed to enhance Doncic’s performance on the court. As Doncic continues to leave his mark on the NBA, the Jordan Luka 2 serves as a reflection of his rising stardom and his commitment to excellence.

“Bright Mango” Jordan Luka 2

The sneakers feature a translucent rubber sole with a clean bright mango midsole that features a white Jumpman. Also, ablack plate is visible through the sides, and a bright mango mesh constructs the base of the uppers, with more leather overlays. Further, back laces and a black tongue complete the design. Finally, the tongues feature Luka branding in white, and the heels feature “Non Desistas Non Exieris” which means “Never Give Up, Never Surrender.”

More Photos

Sneaker Bar Detroit reports that the Jordan Luka 2 “Bright Mango” will be released on May 2nd. Also, the retail price is expected to be $130 when they release. Let us know what you think of this sneaker, in the comments section below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the sneaker world. We will be sure to bring you the biggest releases from the biggest brands.

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