The Dallas Mavericks have been in various situations this season, Nevertheless, When facing the Boston Celtics, the solutions are difficult to find. Who currently hold a 2-0 lead in the series following a 105-98 win on Sunday. Game adjustments and changes enabled them to overcome deficits on their way to the NBA Finals.
The Challenge of the Celtics
P.J. Washington stated that there is no astrology or complex science to justify Dallas being in this risky situation. “They are simply superior.” By the conclusion of the day, they outperformed all the teams we have faced. It’s the championship match, and we need to improve.
Even though Boston had difficulty shooting threes, making just 10 of 39 attempts, they were able to take advantage of scoring in the paint. In Game 2, the Celtics took advantage of Dallas’ strong defense, making 20 out of 27 shots at the rim, despite Dallas being the best defensive team in the league in the last 20 games of the regular season.
Defensive Struggles
Dallas constructed their defense based on the notion that each opposing team possesses certain players who are not worthy of respect when shooting from beyond the arc. Nevertheless, Boston does not provide that privilege, causing Dallas to adapt and exposing them to vulnerability in the post. Jayson Tatum was relentless in his drives, tallying 12 assists despite struggling with his shooting.
The Mavericks face a dilemma:
adapt to the style of play in Boston or remain true to their beliefs. Both Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving have become weak links on defense, with Doncic being hampered by injuries and Irving struggling with inconsistencies. Both players have improved their performance in the playoffs due to a defensive strategy that provides support from the back. However, this strategy failed when faced with Boston.
Offensive Adjustments
Looking for a boost, head coach Jason Kidd experimented with various lineup changes. Although Doncic’s triple-double stood out, his teammates did not take advantage of the opportunities opened up by Boston’s defense. Kidd’s changes, such as giving playing time to Josh Green, Jaden Hardy, and Dante Exum, did not offer much help.
Kidd commented after the game that it was nice to see Exum make an open 3-pointer.
Looking Forward
Doncic accepted the necessity for improvement, specifically in lessening turnovers and improving free-throw shooting. If Dereck Lively II can return to top form, he has the potential to greatly improve Dallas’ defense as a rookie center. The Mavericks have consistently come up with solutions in the past and need to do so once more.
Hope Remains
Kyrie Irving is still optimistic. “It will be the toughest challenge we have faced,” he stated, but their confidence in their capability to bounce back remains unwavering.
The Dallas Mavericks must search deeply for answers when facing a historically exceptional Boston Celtics team, posing a challenge that will push their resilience and adaptability to new limits.
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