After their Game 2 loss, the Dallas Mavericks faced several unresolved issues. No in-game adjustments could fix their defensive struggles, improve player spacing within Jason Kidd’s system, or address other shortcomings.
In contrast, the Boston Celtics had multiple players rise to the occasion during the NBA Finals, securing a 105-98 victory. Such performances can be frustrating for superstars, potentially affecting Luka Doncic.
However, Luka Doncic wasn’t overly critical of himself. According to Landon Thomas of Mavs Fans For Life, the Mavericks star took significant responsibility for his shortcomings.
“I believe we lost the game because of my turnovers and missed free throws. I need to perform better in those areas. But ultimately, we need to make shots to win,” Doncic stated.
These mistakes were pivotal in the NBA Finals clash, regardless of whether the Celtics’ defense forced them. Doncic’s eight turnovers disrupted the Mavericks’ offensive momentum, and his struggles at the free-throw line—making only 50% of his eight attempts—further compounded the issue.
Despite his errors, Doncic’s contribution was crucial. He played 42 minutes, scored 32 points, and achieved a triple-double with 11 assists and 11 rebounds. He also recorded four steals against the Celtics’ formidable offense.
Some of Doncic’s mistakes could be attributed to his injuries, while others were influenced by the Celtics’ defense. However, there’s hope he can rectify these issues as the series moves to Dallas.
Accountability is essential for team progress, and Jason Kidd appreciated Doncic’s acknowledgment of his role in the close loss. In his post-game comments, Kidd emphasized the team effort.
“He played excellently. He’s a leader, and it’s a team effort; success or failure isn’t on him alone. He put us in a strong position, but unfortunately, we couldn’t finish,” Kidd said.
Kidd also has areas to improve, such as devising better strategies to utilize players like Kyrie Irving and PJ Washington and figuring out how Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford can be more effective if the Celtics continue to disrupt their offensive plans. If these adjustments are made, the Mavericks could potentially extend the series and aim for four victories.
