Celtics Eye Elite Status with Potential Sweep of Mavericks
Published on 2024-06-14
Celtics lead Mavericks 3-0 in 2024 NBA Finals, nearing an elite sweep record.
The Boston Celtics hold a 3-0 advantage over the Dallas Mavericks in the 2024 NBA Finals, seeking to join an exclusive group of teams that have swept an NBA championship series. The Celtics would be the tenth team to accomplish this, with the first being their own team in 1959, sweeping the then-Minneapolis Lakers for their second championship in a remarkable eight consecutive titles.
Historically, teams leading 3-0 in a best-of-seven playoff series have an unblemished record of 156-0 in the NBA. Boston has been dominant in this year's playoffs, suffering only two losses and entering the Finals well-rested after sweeping the Indiana Pacers. The team has played a significant portion of the playoffs without Kristaps Porzingis due to injury, but Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have stepped up, contributing a combined 61 points in Game 3 against Dallas.
Despite the Mavericks' competitiveness, Boston's historic dominance and the odds being overwhelmingly in their favor, sweeping an NBA championship series is a challenging feat. Teams that have achieved this in the past have often relied on exceptional talent. The Celtics team that swept in 1959 boasted five Hall of Famers, including Bob Cousy and Bill Russell.
The most recent sweep occurred in 2018 when the Golden State Warriors, powered by Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and others, swept the Cleveland Cavaliers. Similarly, the San Antonio Spurs swept the Cavaliers in 2007, led by trio Tim Duncan, Manu Ginóbili, and Tony Parker. In 2002, the Los Angeles Lakers completed a third consecutive championship sweep against the Brooklyn Nets with the iconic duo of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal.
Historically, teams leading 3-0 in a best-of-seven playoff series have an unblemished record of 156-0 in the NBA. Boston has been dominant in this year's playoffs, suffering only two losses and entering the Finals well-rested after sweeping the Indiana Pacers. The team has played a significant portion of the playoffs without Kristaps Porzingis due to injury, but Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have stepped up, contributing a combined 61 points in Game 3 against Dallas.
Despite the Mavericks' competitiveness, Boston's historic dominance and the odds being overwhelmingly in their favor, sweeping an NBA championship series is a challenging feat. Teams that have achieved this in the past have often relied on exceptional talent. The Celtics team that swept in 1959 boasted five Hall of Famers, including Bob Cousy and Bill Russell.
The most recent sweep occurred in 2018 when the Golden State Warriors, powered by Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and others, swept the Cleveland Cavaliers. Similarly, the San Antonio Spurs swept the Cavaliers in 2007, led by trio Tim Duncan, Manu Ginóbili, and Tony Parker. In 2002, the Los Angeles Lakers completed a third consecutive championship sweep against the Brooklyn Nets with the iconic duo of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal.