The Boston Celtics made a bold bet in the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, choosing to focus on making Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving the primary scorers rather than trying to shut them down. This strategy has paid off so far, with the Celtics taking a 2-0 series lead. Jaylen Brown has been playing exceptionally well, and Kristaps Porzingis has also been a strong force for the Celtics. However, Irving has struggled to make an impact in the series, scoring just 28 points in the first two games on inefficient shooting.
The Mavericks’ offense relies heavily on Dončić and Irving breaking down defenses, creating opportunities for their supporting cast. Without these breakdowns, the Mavericks have struggled to get open shots for their role players, resulting in a significant drop in three-point shooting and alley-oops compared to previous games. Irving recognizes that he needs to play better offensively to help ease the burden on his teammates and improve the Mavericks’ chances of winning the series.
Despite showing some flashes of strong play in Game 1, Irving has been unable to consistently deliver in the finals. The Celtics’ defensive scheme, particularly their focus on pushing Irving to his left hand and collapsing on him in the paint, has limited his scoring opportunities. While Irving has had some good looks, many of his shots have not fallen, putting additional pressure on him to perform at a higher level in Game 3 and beyond.
The Mavericks will need Irving to step up and improve his performance if they hope to compete against the Celtics in the rest of the series. With the Celtics playing at a high level and showing strong defensive capabilities, there is little room for error for the Mavericks. Irving must find a way to convert his scoring opportunities, ease the burden on his teammates, and help lead the Mavericks to victory in Game 3 to keep their championship hopes alive.
Yaron Weitzman is an NBA writer for FOX Sports and the author of Tanking to the Top: The Philadelphia 76ers and the Most Audacious Process in the History of Professional Sports. He provides insights into the strategies and performances of both the Celtics and the Mavericks in the NBA Finals, highlighting the importance of Irving’s impact on the series and the challenges the Mavericks face in overcoming the Celtics’ strong defense.
The next game in the series will be crucial for both teams, with the Celtics looking to extend their lead and the Mavericks desperate to bounce back. Irving’s ability to elevate his game, overcome the Celtics’ defensive strategies, and deliver a strong performance will be a key factor in determining the outcome of Game 3 and the rest of the series. As the teams prepare to face off again, all eyes will be on Irving and his ability to lead the Mavericks to victory against the Celtics.
