Luka Doncic may have ended Game 2 of the NBA Finals with an impressive triple-double, tallying 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists, but his defensive effort left much to be desired. A compilation of his defensive plays highlights just how ineffective Doncic was in guarding the Boston Celtics.
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— Ian Inangelo (@iinangelo) June 11, 2024
In 13 instances, Doncic was blown by the player he was guarding, often with minimal effort from the opposition. Once they bypassed Doncic, his teammates were forced to collapse on defense, leading to wide-open shots for the Celtics. These defensive lapses directly contributed to 14 points for Boston.
While Doncic’s defensive lapses were evident even in Game 1, they became far more pronounced in Game 2. This performance underscores a significant weakness in Doncic’s game.
While his offensive prowess is undeniable, his inability to defend effectively poses a problem. Defense is crucial, especially against a team like the Celtics, who often have five shooters on the floor. Allowing opponents to penetrate easily not only compromises individual defense but also disrupts the entire team’s defensive structure.
The Celtics capitalized on these weaknesses, beating the Mavericks 105-98 to take a 2-0 lead in the series as it heads to Dallas. Jrue Holiday led the Celtics with 26 points and 11 rebounds, while Derrick White made crucial defensive plays, including a chase-down block. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown contributed significantly despite Tatum’s shooting struggles.
The Mavericks must address these defensive issues quickly. Doncic’s offensive skills can carry a game, but without improved defense, especially from their star player, the Mavericks face an uphill battle against a well-rounded Celtics team. As the series moves to Dallas, all eyes will be on Doncic to see if he can elevate his defensive game to match his offensive brilliance.
Mavericks Lack Of Shot-Making Is The Biggest Reason They Are In 0-2 Deficit
The Dallas Mavericks find themselves in a 0-2 deficit in the NBA Finals primarily due to their lack of shot-making ability. While Luka Doncic has been outstanding, averaging 31.0 points per game and shooting 51.1% from the field, his supporting cast has struggled significantly.
Comparing the top scorers from both teams highlights the disparity. Following Doncic, the next five highest scorers in the series are all Boston Celtics: Jaylen Brown (21.5), Jrue Holiday (19.0), Jayson Tatum (17.0), Derrick White (16.5), and Kristaps Porzingis (16.0). The next best Mavericks player is P.J. Washington, averaging 15.5 points, followed by Kyrie Irving at 14.0 points per game.
The Mavericks’ poor shooting is evident across multiple statistics. While Doncic is efficient, key players like P.J. Washington, Derrick Jones Jr., and Kyrie Irving are all shooting below 46%. Particularly concerning is that Jones and Irving have shot less than 38% from the field.
The Mavericks’ overall shooting woes extend beyond field goals. They have shot a dismal 24.5% from three-point range in the first two games and are converting only 65.1% of their free throw attempts. These poor shooting percentages severely limit their ability to keep pace with the Celtics’ balanced offensive attack.
Kyrie Irving, in particular, needs to step up his performance. He has been thoroughly outplayed by Jrue Holiday, who is not only scoring more but also excelling in other areas such as rebounds and assists. Irving’s inability to make a significant impact on both ends of the floor has been a glaring issue for the Mavericks.
While Doncic’s defensive lapses have been noted, the Mavericks’ primary issue remains their inability to make shots. To turn the series around, the Mavericks need their role players to step up and hit their shots. Improved shooting from beyond the arc and the free-throw line is essential. Additionally, Irving must elevate his game and provide the secondary scoring and playmaking that the Mavericks desperately need.
While Doncic has been stellar, the Mavericks’ lack of shot-making and poor shooting percentages are the main reasons they are trailing in the series. For Dallas to have any chance of staging a comeback, they must significantly improve their offensive efficiency and capitalize on their scoring opportunities.
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