NBA Finals 2024: Top 5 keys for Dallas to bounce back
Game 1 of NBA Finals 2024 is off the books. The Boston Celtics ran away with a strong start with a 107-89 victory at the TD Garden on Thursday.
The Dallas Mavericks will need to bounce back in Game 2. Let’s find out how.
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NBA FINALS 2024 SHOWS BOSTON’S BALANCED OFFENSE THE MAVS MUST STOP
Interestingly, Boston opened NBA Finals 2024 with guns blazing as six players scored double figures to pull away in Game 1.
First, Dallas will address this before it gets out of hand with a more aggressive defensive approach.
Furthermore, the single player the Mavericks should put a hand on is, ironically, a former Dallas standout Kristaps Porzingis.
Dallas allowed the 7-foot-3 Latvian – who is returning after recovering from a strained right calf – to go off for 20 points.
Porzingis went 4-of-5 from the field in the first quarter alone and was a big part of Boston’s 17-5 run.
That gave the hosts a 37-20 lead Dallas never recovered from.
MAVS SHOULD GET MORE FROM KYRIE IN FOURTH NBA FINALS APPEARANCE
Second, Dallas will need more from Kyrie Irving and the rest of the starters to get back into the series.
Irving, in his fourth NBA Finals but first since 2017, struggled with just 12 points on 6-of-19 shooting.
Additionally, the Mavericks will need to spread their offense other than Luka Doncic (30 points) and Irving.
Third, Dallas will have to limit Boston’s assist totals that led to its balanced offensive.
Interestingly, Boston had held a 23-9 advantage in assists in Game 1.
DALLAS NEEDS MOBILE BIG MEN TO CONTAIN KRISTAPS, BOSTON’S OFFENSE
Fourth, the Mavericks will need a collective effort from their bigs to contain Boston’s offense.
Interestingly, youthful big men Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively will need to defend Porzingis’ inside-outside offense.
Dallas can use Maxi Kleber more along with PJ Washington and Derrick Jones Jr to commit in defense.
Lastly, the Mavericks need to defend the three-point line more in Game 2.
Boston shot 38.1% from three-point range in Game 1 on 16-of-42 shooting.
Interestingly, Dallas went 25.9% from the three-ball on Thursday.
Can the Mavs tie the series with a Game 2 win? We will find out soon enough.
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