Mavericks coach Jason Kidd, who caused a stir by crowning Brown the other day, had a front-row seat to witness the so-called changing of the guard at the NBA Finals. Now that everyone’s had their fun with this topic. The truth is: the Celtics are loaded enough to constantly play this game of musical chairs, game by game.
“That’s why they have the No. 1 record in the NBA,” Doncic said. . “They have a lot of good players. Basically anyone can leave.”
The Boston Celtics’ defensive dominance in the NBA Finals
Boston’s defensive rotation and transition, interior presence and surprising double teams confounded. The Mavericks prevented them from seizing control of both games at any point. “They were very good defensively,” Doncic admitted. .
As the second game drew to a close, a Mavericks turnover was snuffed out by two suffocating defensive stops by the Celtics late in the fourth quarter. The Celtics’ stifling defensive performance was a key factor in their march toward a championship. Their ability to disrupt opposing offenses and get timely stops proved instrumental to their success throughout the NBA Finals.
The Celtics’ defensive masterclass made it difficult for their opponents to find a way to counter their physicality and discipline. As the series progresses, Boston’s defensive prowess will continue to pose a significant challenge to their opponents as they chase the coveted NBA championship.
Luka Doncic’s heroics weren’t enough for the Mavericks in the NBA Finals
Luka Doncic took the blame for the Mavericks’ Game 2 loss, saying he missed too many free throws (four) and had too many turnovers (eight). However, despite these flaws, Doncic once again performed well in the NBA Finals. He scored 32 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, handed out 11 assists and had four steals. Doncic was a problem for the Boston Celtics throughout the game.
The real culprit, according to Doncic, was the lack of support from his Mavericks teammates. This is especially true given that Doncic is not fully healthy. He is dealing with soreness in his chest and legs. Doncic struggled to score 23 points in the first half to his teammates’ 28, and he had plenty of energy in the fourth quarter after playing 42 minutes. Doncic’s tremendous effort was simply not enough to overcome the Celtics’ suffocating defense and secure the Mavericks’ NBA Finals victory.
Luka Doncic’s individual brilliance has been a bright spot for the Mavericks in the NBA Finals, but the team’s inability to provide enough support for him has hampered their chances of competing at the highest level. As the series continues, if the Mavericks want to have a chance against the dominant Celtics, they’ll need to find ways to better complement Doncic’s talents and lighten the load on their star player.
Kyrie Irving is trying to make an impact for the Mavericks in the NBA Finals
Kyrie Irving’s struggles in the NBA Finals have been a focal point for the Mavericks. The Mavericks need veteran guard Kyrie Irving. If they want to have a chance of beating the dominant Boston Celtics, they need to step up and complement Luka Doncic’s talents. On Sunday, Irving played fairly well both offensively and defensively. But the Mavericks need him to be a terrific player, and that hasn’t happened yet.
“The first two games haven’t been the best for me,” Owen admitted. He was 7 of 18 from the field and 2 of 8 in the second half. When he usually takes over from Doncic and shines. It was especially costly when the Mavericks fought back down the stretch. Their comeback efforts have been hampered by Owen’s inability to contribute.
As the series continues, Irving will need to find his rhythm and make more of an impact on both ends of the court to give the Mavericks a realistic chance to win a championship. If the Mavericks hope to overcome the Celtics’ stifling defense and secure a win in the NBA Finals, they’ll need more help from Irving.
Jayson Tatum’s shooting struggles in the NBA Finals
Jayson Tatum missed seven of his first eight shots and at times seemed resigned to the cold night. He was 6 of 22 from the field. Worse than his performance in Game 1, he’s now 12 for 38 in the series.
The NBA Finals have always haunted Tatum. Two years ago, he shot 36.7 percent from the field in the NBA Finals against the Warriors and spent the summer wondering what was wrong. If Tatum can’t reverse that trend, he risks gaining an unwanted reputation. The good news, however, is that Tatum was solid on Sunday. He consistently provided 12 assists for his teammates and showed growth. When his shots aren’t falling, look for other ways to contribute to the team’s success.
Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving has also struggled to make an impact for the Mavericks in the first two games of the Finals. This is undoubtedly another challenge they must overcome. Additionally, Celtics’ star player Jayson Tatum has been cold from the field, and while his all-around game remains solid, his inability to find his shooting touch may hinder the Celtics’ hopes of capturing the championship.
