Luka Doncic’s defensive struggles were on full display in Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics, and they significantly contributed to the Dallas Mavericks’ downfall.
Luka might be the saddest defender in the NBA pic.twitter.com/QblfSTVoCB
— BricksCenter (@BricksCenter) June 13, 2024
In one notable possession, Doncic was beaten by Sam Hauser in the corner and then he allowed Jrue Holiday to blow past him and kick it out to Jaylen Brown. The Celtics swung the ball to Jayson Tatum, who easily drove past Doncic, who offered minimal resistance.
Holiday, lurking near the paint, grabbed the offensive rebound and threw it out to Al Horford for a wide-open shot. Although Horford missed, Holiday again secured the board and laid it up over Doncic, who again showed minimal effort.
This sequence encapsulated Doncic’s defensive liabilities, which have been glaring throughout the series. In Game 1, the Celtics targeted him repeatedly, exploiting his lackluster defense. In Game 2, Doncic was blown by 13 times, directly leading to multiple easy points for the Celtics. Game 3 continued this trend, with the Celtics consistently taking advantage of Doncic’s defensive shortcomings.
Despite Doncic’s offensive prowess, his defensive issues have been a significant hindrance to the Mavericks. His inability to stay in front of his man or contest shots effectively has left his teammates scrambling to cover for him, often leading to wide-open shots or easy buckets for the opposition. This pattern has been a recurring theme throughout the Finals, and it was particularly evident in Game 3.
The Celtics, led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, capitalized on these defensive lapses to secure a 106-99 victory, taking a commanding 3-0 lead in the series. Tatum scored 31 points, and Brown added 30, helping Boston withstand a furious Dallas rally to move to the verge of their 18th championship.
Dallas’ late-game comeback bid fell short, partly due to Doncic fouling out with over four minutes remaining. His absence in the crucial final minutes further highlighted the Mavericks‘ reliance on his offensive capabilities, which are often undermined by his defensive deficiencies.
With the series potentially ending in the next game, the Mavericks face a daunting task. To avoid a sweep and have any hope of mounting a historic comeback, they need Doncic to step up defensively and provide more resistance against the relentless Celtics‘ attack. The challenge is immense, but it’s a necessary step for Dallas to turn the tide in this series.
Evan Turner Slams NBA For For Fouling Out Luka Doncic
In the aftermath of Luka Doncic fouling out for the first time in the playoffs during Game 3 of the NBA Finals, Evan Turner took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his frustration with the officiating. Turner wrote:
“Dear NBA,”
“It should be illegal to foul out Luka Doncic while it’s a close game and there are no other NBA games on. Y’all Buggin.”
“And how Luka even get 6 fouls if he don’t try to guard??”
Doncic’s disqualification marked only the third time in his career that he fouled out, and it added to the challenges the Mavericks faced as they now trail the series 0-3. After the game, Doncic voiced his displeasure with the officiating, suggesting that the game was called too tightly and questioning the legitimacy of his six fouls.
Critics, including ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst, have been harsh on Doncic, pointing out his defensive lapses and his tendency to blame the bench for his mistakes. Windhorst highlighted an incident where Doncic appeared frustrated with his team for not challenging a foul call, which Windhorst saw as indicative of a broader issue with Doncic’s attitude and approach.
Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd also addressed Doncic’s defensive struggles, emphasizing the need for Doncic to improve his defensive game. Kidd pointed out that opposing teams are targeting Doncic in pick-and-roll situations and isolations, exploiting his defensive weaknesses. Kidd stressed that Doncic needs to rely on his teammates for support and understand that they are there to help him defensively.
The criticism surrounding Doncic’s performance in Game 3 further underscores the defensive issues that have plagued him throughout the series. The Mavericks’ hopes for a comeback in the Finals heavily rely on Doncic stepping up his defensive game and overcoming the challenges posed by the Celtics’ relentless offensive strategies.
With the series now at a critical juncture, Doncic’s ability to adapt and improve will be crucial if the Mavericks are to avoid being swept and make a historic comeback.
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