The Dallas Mavericks are now down 0-2 in the NBA Finals after a 105-98 loss to the Boston Celtics in Game 2. Despite Luka Doncic’s impressive performance, the team struggled to overcome the Celtics’ defense.
Luka Doncic’s Triple-Double Performance
Luka Doncic, playing through an injury, recorded a triple-double with 32 points, 11 assists, and 11 rebounds. His remarkable performance included:
- Field Goals: 21 attempts, 12 made
- Three-Point Shooting: 9 attempts, 4 made
- Free Throws: 4 attempts, 4 made
Doncic became the youngest player in NBA Finals history to achieve a 30-point triple-double at the age of 25. Additionally, this game marked his 10th playoff game this season with over 30 points, setting a new franchise record.
Kyrie Irving’s Struggles Continue
Kyrie Irving’s performance has been underwhelming, particularly against his former team, the Celtics. Irving’s shooting stats in Game 2 were inconsistent:
- First Quarter: 5 attempts, 4 made, 8 points
- Second and Third Quarters: 8 attempts, 1 made, 4 points
- Total: 16 points
Irving has now lost 12 consecutive games against the Celtics. In the Finals, he has averaged 14 points per game with a 32% field goal percentage and 0% from three-point range (0-for-8). His plus-minus over the two games is -22.
First Quarter Success, Subsequent Struggles
Irving and Doncic combined for 21 points in the first quarter, giving the Mavericks a slight lead. However, Irving’s performance dropped in the second quarter, shooting 1-for-5, and his struggles continued into the second half. Despite a late push in the fourth quarter with assists and layups, the Celtics’ three-point shooting kept them ahead.
| Quarter | Points | FG% |
|---|---|---|
| First Quarter | 8 | 80% |
| Second Quarter | 2 | 20% |
| Third Quarter | 4 | 25% |
| Fourth Quarter | 2 | 50% |
| Total | 16 | 38.9% |
Post-Game Reactions
Kyrie Irving
Irving expressed frustration with his shooting performance, saying, “As a highly competitive person, it really frustrates me. I need to perform better offensively.”
Luka Doncic
Doncic acknowledged his mistakes, particularly his missed free throws and turnovers, stating, “My missed free throws and turnovers cost us the game.”
Doncic’s performance in Game 2 included eight turnovers, and he took responsibility for the loss. Despite the 0-2 deficit, American media believe in Doncic’s potential to lead a comeback, recalling his 2022 Western Conference Semifinals performance where he overcame a 0-2 deficit to defeat the Phoenix Suns.
Historical Challenge
Historically, only five teams have come back to win the Finals after trailing 0-2, a success rate of just 13.9%. The Mavericks face a significant challenge as they prepare for Game 3 at home.
Mavericks’ Next Steps
The Mavericks will need to regroup and strategize to overcome their 0-2 deficit. Game 3 will be crucial for their chances of staying in the series.
The next game is scheduled for Wednesday, and the Mavericks will need to leverage their home-court advantage to turn the series around. The performance of both Doncic and Irving will be critical in the upcoming games.(Superace88)