Jun 9, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) dribbles the ball against Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) during the fourth quarter in game two of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
Luka Doncic’s Dominance and the Mavericks’ Struggles
As the Dallas Mavericks prepare for Game 3 of the NBA Finals, they find themselves trailing 2-0 against the Boston Celtics. The next two games at American Airlines Center are crucial, with a loss in either game giving the Celtics a commanding lead towards their 18th championship.
The Mavericks are coming off a 105-98 loss in Game 2, despite Luka Doncic’s standout performance. Doncic posted an impressive triple-double with 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. However, defensive lapses, turnovers, and poor shooting plagued the team.
The Mavericks committed 15 turnovers, missed eight free throws, and had dismal perimeter shooting from their role players. Kyrie Irving was also held below 20 points for the second consecutive game.
In Game 2, Luka Doncic managed to shoot 44.4% from the perimeter, but the rest of the team combined for a dismal 11.8%. Throughout the series, Doncic has been reliable from deep, making 38.1% of his shots, while his teammates have only made 15.6% of their attempts. Irving has yet to hit a three-pointer in the series.
Luka Doncic’s Assessment and the Key to Victory
“We’ve got to make shots. We’ve got to make free throws and less turnovers,” Luka Doncic emphasized after the game. “Those three things I think are the key for a win — to win.”
In the first half of Game 2, Luka Doncic scored 26 of his 32 points, but the Celtics‘ aggressive defense in the second half slowed him down. He reiterated the need to improve in critical areas: making shots, limiting turnovers, and hitting free throws.
“Yeah, obviously didn’t work because we lost,” Luka Doncic admitted. “But at the end of the day, we’ve got to make some more shots. I think my turnovers and my missed free throws cost us the game. So I’ve got to do way better in those two categories. But at the end of the day, we’ve got to make shots to win the game.”
Creating Opportunities and Defensive Adjustments
Luka Doncic’s ability to create opportunities for his teammates was evident as he recorded 11 assists in Game 2, a significant improvement from his single assist in Game 1. He forced the Celtics to adjust their defense, leading to more open shots for his teammates.
“I mean, they are physical, yeah. But they try to guard one-on-one,” Luka Doncic said. “I think today they tried to help more. I was able to get some teammates open. But they are physical. They are very physical. We let them be physical. So they are pretty, pretty amazing on defense.”
Homecourt advantage is often emphasized, but Doncic pointed out that the fundamental need is to improve their play, regardless of the venue. “Score more points. But at the end of the day, it’s basketball, away or home,” he said. “We’ve just got to play better basketball to win.”
The Challenge Ahead
The Mavericks face a tough challenge against a Celtics team known for its offensive firepower and strong defense. Despite this, Luka Doncic felt that the Mavericks‘ defense did a commendable job of guarding the three-point line, as the Celtics made only 25.6% of their three-point attempts.
“That’s why they are the No. 1 team in the NBA with the No. 1 record,” Luka Doncic noted.
“They have a lot of great players. Basically anybody can get off. Honestly, I think we didn’t do a bad job defending today. We took away threes. We contested more threes. And like I say, I had too many turnovers, and we missed a lot of free throws. So I think that cost us the game.”
Overcoming Injuries and Looking Forward
Luka Doncic continues to play through injuries, including a thoracic contusion, a right knee sprain, and left ankle soreness. Despite being downgraded to questionable for Game 2, Luka Doncic’s determination to play was evident.
“I mean, I actually was — you know, I always want to play. So all day we did a lot of things to get ready for the game,” Luka Doncic said.
The Mavericks will need Luka Doncic to maintain his high level of play and for his supporting cast to step up if they hope to turn the series around.
