Mavericks (0-1) at Celtics (1-0) NBA Finals Game #2 6/9/24

[celticinorlando]

Realistically, what else can Dallas really do to improve? The obvious answer is Kyrie shooting better, but like last night I felt like they got good contributions from their role guys (Washington + DJJ combined for 30, Gafford looked great on both ends with 13/9, Doncic fantastic as usual and had 11 assists too, etc.).

And this isn't even factoring in that Boston shot poorly, only 26% from 3 with Tatum being 6-22, Hauser being 0-5 from 3, Jaylen with 6 turnovers, etc.

Still a long series left but honestly I really can't see Dallas winning more than a game this series. They look overmatched. For them to win they need basically everything to click. Last night's game was very winnable for them, just like ECF Game 1 was for Indiana and they both blew it. 

Another factor is that Doncic gets wiped out by the 2nd half. You can tell. He was phenomenal in the first half but in the 2nd half only had 9 points and made 3 shots. Game 1 was similar. All while defensively he gets cooked. Keep making him work on both ends and he'll get worn down.

Yeah. I noticed Tatum and guys blew past Luka really quick. It was like he wasn't even trying. I also like our guys pounding and hounding him on his chest. Wear the fat boy down.

My only concern is KP and if Gafford is gonna go off like how Myles Turner played like Michael Jordan in Game 1. And ofc, we still have the Scott Foster and Marc Davis special waiting for us.

Gafford can't shoot 3s like Myles Turner. This is where Turner hurt the Cs. And if he's a volume option for Dallas, then that is exactly what boston wants.

[celticinorlando]

Celtics realistically won?t shoot 25% from 3 again though will they?

It?s not like Dallas was defending them well. They were just bricking wide open shots. They are due for a game where it swings in the opposite direction.

Tatum as well

Has Tatum had a good shooting night the entire playoffs? Idk.
That?s how he?s going to take the next step/be an actual mvp is when he can play the way he is now but actually score/shoot well

Tatum shot decent in the Cavs and Pacers series from everywhere but from 3. His shooting from 3 this playoffs has been disappointing.

I wish he would trust his midrange and develop a pull up jumper from the paint ala DeRozen. Seems its always back to the basket, then that tough wanna be Kobe turn around fade away.

Also feel like if his 3s are falling early, he is more confident.

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

If Celtics start shooting 3s good, we win by 20 every game

if we played SMART for 24 minutes much less 48 we would destroy dallas by 30 each game

[hodgy03038]

I found this article in Boston Globe:

At last, Kyrie Irving is finally helping the Celtics pursue an NBA championship

Hilarious but true

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

I found this article in Boston Globe:

At last, Kyrie Irving is finally helping the Celtics pursue an NBA championship

Hilarious but true

[ozgod]

I found this article in Boston Globe:

At last, Kyrie Irving is finally helping the Celtics pursue an NBA championship

Hilarious but true

Wonder if he will be our MVP 

[Redz]

Dallas will have a raucous home crowd and sdespwration to win.  Besides that should be more of the same as long as Celtics play with thesame mental edge they?ve had since the Indy series.

[jpotter33]

https://x.com/hero_ofthe_day/status/1800127190383927719?s=46&t=lGU0TGXtwjkuVuoin6WTNw

Luka Doncic is holding the Celtics to 17-40 (42%FG) in the 2024 NBA Finals.

Matchups:

- Tatum (3-8)
- Holiday (4-7)
- Porzingis (3-7)
- Brown (5-7)
- White (0-4)
- Pritchard (0-3)
- Hauser (1-3)
- Horford (1-1)

The Mavs are 15-25 (60%FG) with Tatum defending (Luka Doncic 6-8)

Some of the content coming from Mavs fans trying to defend Luka - particularly his defense - is nasty work. No rational fan could watch these first two games and come away with an opinion other than Luka?s - and to a lesser extent Kyrie?s - defense is a major contributing factor to Dallas being down 2-0. We virtually have a free lane to the basket every trip down, so, yeah, when your teammates have to step up and cover for you their man gets credited for the basket, even though it was your defensive fault.

[celticinorlando]

I think Boston wins by double digits in Game 3. Just have a feeling they come out and stick it to the mavs.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

https://x.com/hero_ofthe_day/status/1800127190383927719?s=46&t=lGU0TGXtwjkuVuoin6WTNw

Luka Doncic is holding the Celtics to 17-40 (42%FG) in the 2024 NBA Finals.

Matchups:

- Tatum (3-8)
- Holiday (4-7)
- Porzingis (3-7)
- Brown (5-7)
- White (0-4)
- Pritchard (0-3)
- Hauser (1-3)
- Horford (1-1)

The Mavs are 15-25 (60%FG) with Tatum defending (Luka Doncic 6-8)

Some of the content coming from Mavs fans trying to defend Luka - particularly his defense - is nasty work. No rational fan could watch these first two games and come away with an opinion other than Luka?s - and to a lesser extent Kyrie?s - defense is a major contributing factor to Dallas being down 2-0. We virtually have a free lane to the basket every trip down, so, yeah, when your teammates have to step up and cover for you their man gets credited for the basket, even though it was your defensive fault.

Doncic initial defense on ball is not bad. He normally takes away the first move, but its the counter that gets our guys right to the basket and kicking the ball out for good shots and movement - that's not included in this stat.

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

I think Boston wins by double digits in Game 3. Just have a feeling they come out and stick it to the mavs.

i mean i rarely say this...but based on what i saw late...luka is in big trouble. he was hurting and was getting destroyed on D. what else can dallas do? i honestly think we have seen it all.

Dallas has no answer for us nor does Kidd.

we will destroy doncic next game. its only gonna get worse for him.

we can drive at will and once we start hitting threes it will be CURTAINS DOWN for the mavs.

[mobilija]

I think Boston wins by double digits in Game 3. Just have a feeling they come out and stick it to the mavs.

i mean i rarely say this...but based on what i saw late...luka is in big trouble. he was hurting and was getting destroyed on D. what else can dallas do? i honestly think we have seen it all.

Dallas has no answer for us nor does Kidd.

we will destroy doncic next game. its only gonna get worse for him.

we can drive at will and once we start hitting threes it will be CURTAINS DOWN for the mavs.

Yep. Matador.

https://x.com/InTheLabBrand/status/1800009703554166896?t=8nIr-EP56GGACEc1PCOMDg&s=08

[trickybilly]

It's hard to think of an accurate comparison of another guy who is so lethal offensively, but SO BAD defensively.

Any ideas?

[SparzWizard]

It's hard to think of an accurate comparison of another guy who is so lethal offensively, but SO BAD defensively.

Any ideas?

2019 James Harden?

[tenn_smoothie]

Celtics realistically won?t shoot 25% from 3 again though will they?

It?s not like Dallas was defending them well. They were just bricking wide open shots.
They are due for a game where it swings in the opposite direction.
Tatum as well

Has Tatum had a good shooting night the entire playoffs? Idk.
That's how he's going to take the next step/be an actual mvp is when he can play the way he is now but actually score/shoot well

I agree with Michael Wilbon's view that we do not need Tatum to be a League MVP level player to win a championship.
That has been the pervasive opinion for the past few seasons and this series may finally prove otherwise, IF the Celts can win 2 more games.
Tatum just needs to relax, play his game and not force bad possessions because he thinks he has to live up to some ideal.