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Quick Bytes
- The Lakers miss the NBA Finals, with the Mavericks and Celtics competing for the 2024 title.
- Celtics favored to win, but Mavericks have top players like Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
- Austin Reaves of the Lakers backs the Mavericks due to the historic Lakers-Celtics rivalry.
- Lakers’ front office may focus on strengthening the supporting cast rather than adding a third star.
2024 NBA Finals Showdown
The Los Angeles Lakers, once 2020 NBA Champions, are now spectators as the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics vie for the 2024 NBA Finals crown. The Celtics, having breezed through the Eastern Conference, are the bookmakers’ favorites, while the Mavericks have shown formidable strength with recent additions P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford.
Lakers’ Austin Reaves, respecting the deep-seated rivalry with the Celtics, throws his support behind the Mavericks. This sentiment echoes the Lakers’ fanbase, who are eager to see Boston denied a title that would break the tie for most championships won. Reaves’ alignment with the Lakers’ legacy highlights the weight of the historic feud.
Off the court, the Lakers’ front office is reportedly considering a strategic shift. Instead of pursuing a third superstar to complement LeBron James and Anthony Davis, they are leaning towards bolstering the team’s supporting cast, a move that reflects the successful formulas of top playoff teams.
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