Star is out...

Team balls out!  Doubt they push Porzingis to play in this game unless the INJ is far less serious than they are saying.  Seeing videos of him walking around no problem, no special brace or strap on his leg/ankle.  BUT, I would think with the 2-0 lead and assuming they lose 1 in Dallas, they rest him this game and get ready for wins in games 4 & 5.  Winning in Boston would be awesome for us fans also.  Yes, I'm pretty confident in the C's winning this series.  They haven't lost 4 games in a 7 game span all season and they won many times without KP including rounds 2 and 3 of the playoffs.  So if Porzingis is ruled out and there is a small line change because of that, I would hammer the C's.  Everyone thinks this is the game the Mavs will win(odds are they will), they're back at home, Kyrie has to wake up, blah blah...but keep it simple stupid...The C's are the better team here.  They have a far better offense and defense.  They held the Mavs under 100 in both games so far.  Tatum/Brown/White haven't had big scoring games yet.  So sure, Kyrie may start finding a way to score, but his D sucks and the C's could easily have a player offset his points with a performance of their own.  If C's are hitting shots and playing good D like 1st 2 games, watch out Mavs backers.  The C's have been so close these past few seasons and I think Tatum understands that he doesn't have to be the leading point scorer as long as he's filling up the stat sheet with rebounds/assists(avg 10/8.5 this series so far).  So while the narrative is  most likely a win for the Mavs, there is value in taking the C's tonight getting points(DraftKings already moved to 3!) or even ML.  Mavs probably still win, but I don't think it's going to be an easy win. This is basketball and anything can happen. Go C's!

Tatum Trip/Dub - 15-1

Luka Trip/Dub - +230

C's 1st half team total over 54.5

Over 214.5

Waiting to take C's + points as I think it will go up another point or so after the Porzingis out announcement.

I like both Tatum and Brown to go 20+ tonight also.  

Pending - C's NBA Champ

@HipB23

Except he has been out the entire playoffs but for the first two games of the finals. Not sure that qualifies. But in either event good luck.

4 games in round 1 vs. Mia and 2 huge games vs Dallas in Finals.  Sports media were saying the whole week or two leading up to Finals that C's can't win without him.  So he's still considered a star in my view.  

"insert 'told you so' meme of Oprah"

C's are the better team.  They have more effective players than Dallas does.  And what the fuck last night.  The refs were letting Dallas get away with so much!  Luka was literally...blatantly... throwing defenders away from him with extended arms.  He hooked Tatum and then complained about the foul. That last foul he was skating sideways into Brown. Dallas was allowed to play very rough and Luka was out of control most of the game.  Can't believe I'm seeing people complain that he fouled out.  That last foul was really like his 8th personal!  He got away with a lot.  

Looking like a C's sweep.  LIke I said above, even if Kyrie had a huge game(which he did), the C's have too many players to offset his great performance(See 30+ point games from Tatum/Brown).  C's should be able to end this on Friday night.  Get a little lead and it's season over.  There is always that possibility of the C's coming in less focused, but they've been here before and know they have to end it asap.  Don't give Dallas any momentum.  Really excited for a Fri night game 4.  Seems like a Dallas 1st half play would be smart as teams facing elimination in playoffs usually have a great 1st half in an elimination game.  Hoping Tatum goes bonkers to leap frog Brown as the MVP.  Secretly hoping for a Dallas win so Boston can win Game 5 at home which would be crazy awesome...but I'll take the championship anyway we can get it!

Porzingis is a decent player, and on a team as deep and talented with shooters like Boston he becomes a defensive matchup nightname for opponents, especially versus a Dallas team that plays 4 men on D plus Luka...this finals exposed a forever blueprint regarding how to dismantle Doncic and exploit his defensive ineptitude in any playoff series moving forward.

But Porzingis is not a star...not even close.

Nice call on Cs to win title