NBA Finals 2024: Kidd, Kyrie says Luka ‘not alone’ in Game 2 loss
Coach Jason Kidd and Kyrie Irving said Luka Doncic is “not alone” and should not blame himself in the Mavericks’ 105-98 loss in Game 2.
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KIDD, KYRIE AGREE LUKA ‘NOT ALONE’ IN CARRYING MAVS IN FINALS
Kidd and Irving agree that Doncic is “not alone” in carrying the Mavericks in these finals after losing Game 2 again at Boston’s TD Garden on Sunday.
Doncic sizzled for 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists but he pointed out some turnovers and missed free throws cost us the game.”
Kidd disagrees.
“No matter what he (Doncic) says, that’s just who he is. He’s a leader. It’s not all on him. It’s a team,” the Dallas coach said.
“He was really good tonight. Unfortunately, we just couldn’t get over the hump.” he added.
“He’s not alone, and we are going to tell him that,” Irving added.
DALLAS NEEDS MORE OF KYRIE, REST OF STARTERS IN GAME 3
The Mavericks did get a quick start from Doncic and Irving in the first quarter of Game 2.
However, Irving struggled the rest of the way as his 16 points came on 7-of-18 shooting.
Irving is only averaging 15 points on 37.1% shooting in this year’s NBA Finals.
Furthermore, it is proof that the Mavs guard is struggling against defensive guards Jrue Holiday and Derrick White.
Interestingly, Irving and the Dallas defense allowed Holiday to come away with 26 points on 11-of-14 shooting with 11 rebounds and three assists.
Additionally, the rest of Dallas’ starters (P. J Washington, Daniel Gafford, and Derrick Jones Jr) did squeeze in double-digit productions.
But the Mavs need them to be more aggressive offensively, particularly in the fourth quarter, to ease the load off Doncic and Irving.
MAVS’ OVERALL DEFENSE VITAL TO AVOID 0-3 DEFICIT IN DALLAS
The Mavericks interior defense of Gafford, Dereck Lively, Washington, Jones, and Maxi Kleber should be more aggressive to avoid easy baskets for the Celtics.
Jayson Tatum and Derrick White still got away with 18 points each, while Jaylen Brown had 21 points on 8-of-15 shooting in Game 2.
Kristaps Porzingis, despite having discomfort in his right leg in the second half, still got 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting.
Kidd should devise a way to prevent Boston from spreading the offense through nifty assists. The Celtics had 29 assists in Game 2, 12 of them from Tatum and seven from Brown.
Can the Mavericks breakthrough behind their home crowd by winning Game 3 in Dallas to avoid a sweep? Only one way to find out.
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