As a result of the Dallas Mavericks losing to the Boston Celtics on Sunday night. They are now down two games to a Boston team that has looked unstoppable throughout the 2024 NBA Finals. The series now shifts to Dallas for game three tonight. Additionally, the Mavericks need to throw everything in their arsenal at the Celtics in this contest. They cannot afford to go down three games to nothing against the Celtics. Also, they need to use their home-court advantage to get back in this series.
Mavericks Keys To Turning The Series Around
Key One: Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving Have To Find Their Offensive Rhythm
In their previous playoff wins against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves. The explosive backcourt of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving dominated those series, and that dominance has been missing against the Celtics through two games in this series. Doncic and Irving have to find their offensive rhythm for Dallas to win tonight.
In addition, Mavericks Head Coach Jason Kidd has to find ways to put the ball in his playmaker’s hands. He can do so by creating high-percentage shooting opportunities for his two superstar players through elite ball movement. Having them play iso/hero ball against an aggressive Celtics defense has not worked. Additionally, it has led to inexcusable turnovers that give Boston easy baskets on the fast break.
When Doncic and Irving are playing within the flow of the offense. Dallas can compete with any team in the league. Getting those two going will give the Mavericks their best opportunity to beat the Celtics. If Doncic and Irving can combine for 50-70 points of Dallas’ final point total. Then the Mavericks should be able to get their first win in this series tonight.
Key Two: Dallas Has To Contain Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown
In order to win tonight’s game three and get back in this series. The Dallas Mavericks will need to contain Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. While Tatum has not been able to find his rhythm yet in this series. Brown has been a killer for the Celtics. In addition, he has been able to use his speed to attack the basket and get Dallas’ big men in foul trouble. As a result of this style of play, has forced Dallas to commit more defensive attention to him. Which has opened up the three-point line for the Celtics.
Finding a way to slow down Brown while continuing to frustrate Tatum has to be the priority for the Mavericks. Also, they will need to communicate and play disciplined defense to slow them down. Doing this should cut down the easy bucket opportunities for Tatum and Brown. This would be ideal for the Mavericks if they can force someone else to beat them, they can win tonight’s contest.
Key Three: Mavericks Role Players Have To Impact The Game
With the series now shifting back to Dallas their role players should play a bigger role in the contest. Also, Boston has been able to get something out of their role players, so far in this series. Dallas needs a couple of their role players to step up and make some plays, with their backs against the wall.
If they want their role players to have a bigger impact in this series. Dallas has to use their ball movement to create high-percentage shooting opportunities for their teammates. The ball moves faster than any defender. In addition, when Dallas relies on their passing, they are able to create easy buckets.
Throughout two games in this series, nothing has been easy for Dallas. If they can create more high-percentage shooting opportunities for themselves. They have a great chance to win tonight and get back in this series.
