Call them dynamic duos, Batmen and Robins, power couples or one-two punches. Whatever fun moniker is in play, the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks features two of the best of them in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown vs. Luca Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
Here’s how they’ve fared against each other in the past.
Jayson Tatum
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum reacts during the second half of Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals against the Indiana Pacers, Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)AP Photo/Steven Senne
Career Averages vs. Everybody — 23.1 ppg, 8.1 rpg., 3.5 apg.
Career playoff averages — 24.1 ppg. 7.9 rpg. 4.8 apg.
Career averages vs. Mavericks: In 14 games he’s averaged 24.5 points. 9.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists per game.
Vs. Dallas in 2023-24:
- Jan. 22: Celtics 119, Dallas 110 — Tatum has 39 points, 11 rebounds and five assists as Boston won without Kristaps Porzingis. The Mavericks were different too as the game came before they had their trade deadline additions.
- March 1: Celtics 138, Dallas 110 — Tatum has 32 points, eight rebounds and three assists as the Celtics thumped the Mavericks.
Playoff averages vs. teams with Kyrie Irving — Tatum averaged 30.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 5.7 assists in two series vs. Brooklyn.
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Jaylen Brown
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) drives to the basket ahead of Indiana Pacers guard Ben Sheppard (26) during the first half of Game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals, Monday, May 27, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)AP
Career Averages vs. everybody— 18.6 ppg., 5.3 rpg. 2.4 apg.
Career playoff averages — 19.0 ppg. 5.6 rpg. 2.3 apg.
Career averages vs. Mavericks: Brown’s numbers in 13 games vs. Dallas are better than his overall numbers with 22.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.
vs. Dallas in 2023-24:
- Jan. 22: Celtics 119, Dallas 110 — Brown had 34 points, three rebounds and four assists in the teams’ first meeting of the year.
- March 1: Celtics 138, Dallas 110 — In Boston’s blowout victory, Brown had 25 points, seven boards and five assists.
Playoffs vs. Kyrie Irving: In postseason games against the Cavs and Nets with Irving, Brown has averaged 15 points, 2.8 assists and 4.0 rebounds.
Kyrie Irving
Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) battles Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) for a rebound during the second half in Game 4 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals, Tuesday, May 28, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)AP
Kyrie Irving had some notable success against the Celtics shortly after leaving giving the impression he was going to haunt Boston as an ex-Celtic. He had 40 points against them on Christmas, the first time he faced them after going to Brooklyn. His career playoff high is actually the 42 points for the Cavaliers against the Isaiah Thomas-led Celtics in 2017.
He’s 3-1 in playoff series against Boston.
Career Averages vs. Everybody — 23.6 ppg., 4.0 rpg, 5.7 apg.
Career playoff averages — 23.2 ppg. 3.7 rpg. 4.9 apg.
Career averages vs. Celtics — In 26 regular season games against Boston, Irving has averaged 23.3 ppg., 3.9 rpg., 5.0 apg.
Vs. Boston in 2023-24:
- Jan. 22: Celtics 119, Dallas 110 — Irving has 23 points, six rebounds and three assists in the teams’ first meeting, his first against Boston as a Maverick.
- March 1: Celtics 138, Dallas 110 — Irving shot 9-for-23 and had 19 points, two rebounds and four assists in Boston’s blowout victory.
Luca Doncic
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)AP
Career Averages vs. Everybody — 28.7 ppg., 8.7 rpg., 8.3 apg.
Career playoff averages — 31.1 ppg., 9.4 rpg., 8.2 apg.
Career averages vs. Celtics — In 11 career games, all in the regular season, vs. Boston, he’s averaged 29.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 7.5 assists.
Vs. Boston in 2023-24:
- Jan. 22: Celtics 119, Dallas 110 — Doncic had his first of two triple-doubles against the Celtics this season with 33 points, 18 rebounds and 13 assists.
- March 1: Celtics 138, Dallas 110 — Doncic had good numbers on a bad day. He had 37 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists in 37 minutes.
