Dallas' Dončić stands between Celtics and NBA title

⚡ Know your enemy: Many believe Dončić, a once-in-a-generation offensive force at guard, is already the world's best player.

• He led the NBA in scoring this season and has made the All-Star Team and All-NBA First Team in five of his six seasons.
• A championship would cap his climb to the top of the sport.

Hello, old friend: While Dončić is Dallas' scariest offensive player, his teammate, former Celtic Kyrie Irving, isn't far behind.

• When both are hot, they're blistering. In the last round, they liquefied the Minnesota Timberwolves' top-ranked defense.

Yes, but: The Celtics have their own pair of superstars in Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, plus two excellent defenders in Jrue Holiday and Derrick White.

• Scoreboard: The Celts won both times the teams played this season.

👀 The intrigue: Kristaps Porziņģis, the Celts' 7-foot-2 "Unicorn," has missed more than a month with a calf strain.

• He's expected back for this series, possibly even for Game 1. But it remains to be seen if he'll be at full strength.

If you go: Game 1 tips off 8:30pm Thursday at TD Garden. Be prepared to part with upwards of $700, even for a seat in the nosebleeds.

• Or you can watch on ABC.