Kristaps Porzingis makes a strong return in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, proving his worth with 20 points, six rebounds, and three blocks against his former team, the Dallas Mavericks. His size and shooting were unmatched by the Mavs, leading the Boston Celtics to a victory despite their strategy to bet against weaker shooters. Porzingis' versatile play poses a significant challenge for Dallas, who struggle to counter his impact.
Porzingis' defensive presence at the rim and ability to hit mid-range shots create mismatches that the Mavericks can't easily defend. His deep shooting threat forces defenses to stretch, exposing weaknesses and providing opportunities for the Celtics offense to thrive. As the series progresses, Porzingis is expected to improve further, posing a consistent threat to Dallas' defensive strategy.