3 Duds, 2 studs from Mavericks' brutal Game 1 loss to Celtics

4. Stud - P.J. Washington

P.J. Washington has been a critical part of the Mavs' turnaround this season. He and Daniel Gafford were acquired at the trade deadline and became crucial starters for the team. After struggling to find consistency with the Charlotte Hornets, Washington was able to succeed in Dallas.

Washington celebrated in the locker room after the Mavs advanced to the Finals. He turned to Gafford and stated, "We went from the bottom to the top." These two have built a special bond in Dallas, and having them as two key pieces of the Mavs' core will be exciting to watch.

It's easy to see that Washington found a welcoming home with the Mavs. The Mavs forward grew up in Dallas and it's clear he loves playing here.

For him, making the finals was a whole 360, as his former team struggled to win games.

In his first finals appearance, he recorded a near double-double with 14 points and eight rebounds. He was the team's second-leading scorer. Washington knocked down 45.5 percent of his field goal attempts.

He did a great job attacking the rim, as he used his frame to score inside.

However, he struggled to convert his 3-point attempts. Washington went 0-3 from long range.

If Washington can knock his open 3-point attempts, this could play a key role in helping the Mavs' offensive production. The team will need him to continue scoring at a high level if they plan to bounce back in Game 2.