DALLAS — In addition to airing every game of the 2024 NBA Finals on our station, WFAA is also hosting a special presentation called "The Pregame" before each and every matchup in the series. Head here for more information.
Are you excited for the NBA Finals? Here at WFAA, we can't wait to cheer on the Dallas Mavericks as they look to claim their first NBA Championship since 2011 against the Boston Celtics.
However, before Game 1 tips off on Thursday, we wanted to gauge confidence levels around the sports department and see how everyone thinks the series will honestly play out.
So, here's what each sports anchor, reporter and photojournalist predicts will happen and why:
Joe Trahan, Lead Sports Anchor
Prediction: Mavs in 6.
Reasoning: The Celtics were incredible at home in the regular season (37-4). But their two losses so far this postseason were both at the TD Garden.
My prediction is predicated on the Mavs stealing one of the first two in Boston. That will pave the way for closers Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving to out-duel Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
One caveat? The Mavs better win in six -- because a Game 7 in the Garden could get hectic!
Mike Leslie, Sports Anchor/Reporter
Prediction: Mavs in 6.
Reasoning: I think Boston is terrific, and has been the best team in the NBA all season long.
But the Mavs, during their stretch run after the trade deadline, was very nearly as good. And with their playoff run, through a much tougher gauntlet than Boston's, they've proven that they can be Boston's equal.
And if they can be Boston's equal, they can beat Boston -- because if these games are close late, Dallas will be better than Boston, because they're better than any other team across the league in crunch time.
Mavs in 6 -- meaning they hoist the trophy on their home floor on June 20.
Jonah Javad, Sports Anchor/Reporter
Prediction: Mavs in 6.
Reasoning: The smart money is on the Celtics. But I’m not a smart man.
The C’s have the best home record in the NBA since 2016? Who caressss.
Boston has a team full of two-way players who can get buckets AND defend the perimeter? Pish posh.
The Mavericks have defied the odds in every playoff series thus far. They defeated a trio of West teams that won 50-plus games during the regular season -- and they KO’d them all in six games or less. The Mavs did not have homecourt advantage for a single one of those series.
Why stop now?
Michelle Montaine, Sports Reporter
Prediction: Mavs in 5.
Reasoning: Dallas has been battle-tested throughout its postseason run, fighting through three 50-win teams. Meanwhile, Boston cruised to the Finals through a beat-up Eastern Conference.
The Mavs have shown they can make in-series adjustments when necessary (see: every game vs OKC following the Thunder's Game 1 win), and also proven that they can win on the road.
I'm expecting P.J. Washington to be a differentiator once again. He has proven to be a threat from the outside throughout this playoff run, and if he's matched up on Kristaps Porzingis (as he was during the regular season), he could make Boston pay.
While Boston has had one of the best offenses all year, Dallas has not only been elite defensively since the trade deadline, but the Mavs are also getting contributions on that end from their stars this postseason.
But mostly, beyond all of that, if Boston gets the offensive version of Luka that Minnesota got -- the one that is unguardable, that can overcome double/triple teams, that will hit contested threes from the logo -- then the Celtics will face the same fate as the T-wolves.
Arnold Payne, Sports Photojournalist
Prediction: Mavs in 7.
Reasoning: This series is a tough read. I must admit I was genuinely concerned by the Mavs' ongoing trophy-hugging celebration following their conference title win.
I truly hope the Mavs didn’t empty their tank in Minnesota.
That said, Luka loves the big stage -- and what better setting for his game-day, referee-complaining theatrics than a seven-game series with the Mavs winning the championship?
Paul Melton, Sports Photojournalist
Prediction: Celtics in 6.
Reasoning: As much as I'd like to think the Mavs will win, I just don't see them knocking off Boston. The Celtics have been the best team in the NBA all season, and they haven't shown any signs of slowing down.
They are the one-seed out of the East. Dallas is the five-seed in the West.
Granted, the Mavericks have exceeded expectations by continuing to improve since the trade deadline, but Boston has been more dominant against its opponents in the playoffs.
The Celtics have lost just two games in three rounds.
While I think Dallas can improve on that total, that's about the best I expect for the Mavs.
Andrew Cely, Sports Producer
Prediction: Celtics in 7.
Reasoning: Early on in the playoffs, I predicted that the Larry O'Brien Trophy would be handed out this year at TD Garden in Boston. I’m sticking with that prediction, and I believe this year's series will go the distance.
The talent both the Mavs and Celtics have to offer is pretty staggering, and I think Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic deserves to be recognized as the best player entering this series.
In years past, that status would have me leaning towards picking the Mavs to win it all. They definitely have that feel of a "Team of Destiny." Dallas has had to scratch and claw their way through a brutal Western Conference slate of teams, and they've done it without the benefit of home court advantage.
Meanwhile, the Celtics have been underwhelming at best during their playoff run, but at no fault of their own. Most of their competition in the Eastern Conference was too injured to put up a reasonable fight, and aside from a pair of home losses in the first two rounds, they've taken care of business.
Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Al Horford... There's no way to put it other than that Boston is stacked with versatility and primed for this moment. Most of these players have been at this stage as recently as two years ago, although they came up short to the last vestiges of the Warriors dynasty. But that experience might end up being a determining factor.
The key to me is the start of the series. The first three games will be played over the course of seven days, meaning two full days of rest between games. If Boston holds serve in their first two home games, the Mavs will have an uphill battle trying to climb back in the series. Dallas certainly has the talent capable of trading wins and losses, and neither team should be fazed by the level of competition, which is why I anticipate a longer series.
Ultimately, it comes down to three-point shooting and homecourt advantage. Boston has only suffered six total losses at home this entire season, playoffs included. Six.
Neither team has faced a Game 7 this year. If we do get one, I anticipate a classic. But the luck of the leprechaun and an overall easier run to the Finals has me thinking that the Celtics will have just enough fresh legs and horsepower to get over the finish line.
I hope I'm wrong.
Sean Hamilton, Sports Director
Prediction: Mavs in 7.
Reasoning: It’s been said by just about any and everyone that covers the NBA: Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are the best closers in the game.
I think Luka will elevate his game for just this moment. And no one can touch Luka when he has that Luka game-face on.
Be sure to tune into WFAA as all games will be aired on ABC, the exclusive broadcasting network of the NBA Finals.