The Boston Celtics did what they needed to do through the first two games of the NBA Finals. They won at home.
Now the series shifts to the Dallas Mavericks’ homecourt, where Luka Doncic and Co. will hope to overcome the 0-2 hole they find themselves in.
The story of the series thus far has been how Doncic is carrying the Mavs on his back and getting zero help from his teammates. Kyrie Irving has earned the brunt of the criticism for this, as evidenced by his brutally honest response to the critique this week.
That said, Doncic deserves some blame as well. Although he has never been particularly good defensively, he has been getting absolutely roasted in the NBA Finals.
A video went viral on Tuesday showing 13 examples of Doncic getting embarrassed by Celtics players on defense.
Bro this video has my dying😂 pic.twitter.com/VQTVMBqWi0
— Ian Inangelo (@iinangelo) June 11, 2024
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— Game 7 (@game7__) June 11, 2024
Reactions poured in immediately?
The shrug after every possession is killing me 🤣
— SWRLS (@swrls10) June 11, 2024
Man is only injured on defense 😂😂😂
— Daniel Canngieter (@Dcanngieter) June 11, 2024
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— Game 7 (@game7__) June 9, 2024
They really tryna call this man the new lebron the disrespect
— Z4Y🖤 (@0fficialzay) June 11, 2024
…he’s literally carrying this team on his back and keeping them in games. Don’t be a fool.
— NEW PAGE Teammillz 📸 (@photomillzLLC) June 11, 2024
Hence why there losing DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS
— DaoJuice (@DTRJUICE) June 11, 2024
If the Mavericks have any hope of getting this series back on track, obviously Irving and Co. need to step up offensively and provide some support for Doncic.
But Doncic needs to make tweaks as well. He can’t just keep letting Boston players run roughshod on defense.
Will Doncic and the Mavericks ultimately be able to figure out a way to get this series back on track? Time will tell.
Related: Luka Doncic’s Mom, Grandma Wore Special Outfits To NBA Finals
Jennifer Withers Hoey is a former Business Development Manager who transitioned to writing about sports. With valuable connections all over the West Coast, she has used those contacts to break some of the most interesting stories pertaining to the Portland Trail Blazers, Oregon Ducks, LA Lakers, LA Clippers, Seattle Supersonics (RIP), and more.
