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NBA Finals - Game 2BOS leads series 1-0

How the Celtics and Mavericks are battling for the NBA’s most valuable real estate

It's the NBA Finals' ultimate chess match: how each team performs within four separate 42-square-foot pockets on the court could decide this series.

11hChris Herring
Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

The overlooked strength that has Boston three wins from an NBA title

The Celtics sit three wins from banner 18 by dominating in one of basketball's core tenets.

3dBrian Windhorst

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    OFFSEASON BUZZ

    Offseason sleeper teams: How the Bulls, Blazers, Jazz, Pelicans and Spurs could make big moves

    Chicago, led by Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan, is one of a handful of teams in prime position to be busy this summer.

    3dBobby Marks
    (Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire)

    LOOKING AHEAD TO THE DRAFT

    JUNE 26-27 ON ESPN NETWORKS

    Who's rising, falling ahead of the NBA draft? We updated our top 100 rankings

    From a top-10 pick who's injured to the Lakers' coaching news, here's how the player rankings have been impacted.

    3dJonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo
    Altan Gochar/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

    Best international prospects in the draft: Bios, stats and scouting reports

    From the stats that stand out to surprise facts, get to know more about Alex Sarr, Zaccharie Risacher and more.

    4dJonathan Givony

    CELTICS TAKE GAME 1

    Lockdown defense, 3s and a unicorn: Game 1 revealed Boston's blueprint

    With a stifling defense and the return of their game-changing big man, Boston did what it was built for in a near-perfect Finals opener.

    2dTim Bontemps
    Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

    Biggest takeaways of Game 1 of the NBA Finals between Boston and Dallas

    Our NBA insiders break down their biggest takeaways from the Game 1.

    3dNBA Insiders

    ROUGH START FOR THE MAVERICKS

    Stephen A: Kyrie 'didn't seem ready' in Game 1 vs. Celtics

    2d
    1:56

    TRENDING IN THE NBA

    'What's Up Doc?': Dirk Nowitzki recites Shaquille O'Neal's verse from 1993 single

    Dirk Nowitzki was one of the biggest fans of Shaquille O'Neal's music career -- and proved it on Shaq's podcast.

    1dKalan Hooks
    Kate Frese/NBAE via Getty Images

    LAKERS PURSUING HURLEY

    The five biggest questions surrounding the potential Dan Hurley-Lakers pairing

    Here's what we know so far -- and what it could mean for the future of LeBron, Bronny and the future of the Lakers franchise.

    3dESPN insiders
    David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

    Stephen A. isn't confident Dan Hurley will make the Lakers better

    2d
    2:20

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