Luka Doncic‘s 32-point triple-double wasn’t enough to prevent the Dallas Mavericks from losing 105-98 to the Boston Celtics in Game 2 of the NBA Finals and falling behind 0-2 in the series. The guard can barely be faulted for his team’s deficit. However, former Golden State Warriors star Kevon Looney has a suggestion for the Slovenian superstar that could help turn the tide of the series.
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During an appearance on The Draymond Green Show, the veteran forward prompted Doncic to focus on playmaking in the first quarter and allow his teammates to find their rhythm before he gets his shots up. Looney urged the guard to attack the rim and disrupt the Celtics’ defensive setup to create open looks for his teammates. Explaining why he believes the Mavericks superstar should tweak his game, the Warriors star said,
“I know as a role player, that first quarter if you don’t get a layup or a dunk or something to get you going, you get a little tense. Now, later in the game, you ain’t gonna shoot the ball as well… From guarding him in the playoffs and guarding him throughout the year, when he’s at the top, he’s tough to stop… When he gets a live dribble in the post, you got to double [team].”
"Luka got to get his role guys a little bit more involved in the first half"
—@Loon_Rebel5 and @Money23Green on what adjustments the Mavs need to make pic.twitter.com/0PfPw9vUSs
— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) June 10, 2024
Looney’s assessment is spot on. Through the first two games of the Finals, Doncic is averaging 10 points on seven shots in the first quarter, while the rest of the team combined is contributing only 14. However, they’ve attempted only 15.5 shots on average. The guard can heat up whenever he wants so focusing on aiding his teammates early in the game to get them going before he takes over in the second half could be an optimal strategy.
It’s no secret that the Mavericks’ role players haven’t been up to the mark in Games 1 and 2 of the Finals. However, Doncic should trust them to turn it around in Dallas. They’ve been exceptional throughout these playoffs and have earned plaudits for their performance in the earlier rounds of this run.
Danny Green lauded the Mavericks’ role players’ contribution to the team’s run to the Finals
Following the Mavericks’ Game 1 loss in Boston, three-time NBA champion Danny Green claimed that the Mavericks had no reason to panic. During an appearance on The Draymond Green Show, the former Los Angeles Lakers star cited his belief in Dallas’ role players as the reason for his faith in the team. He said,
“I think [the Mavericks] have a really good shot cause guys know their roles and they know them early and they are not tripping about having to be that guy yet.”
Green’s belief is not misguided. P.J. Washington, Derek Lively, Derrick Jones Jr. and Daniel Gafford played their roles to perfection and helped the Mavericks win the Western Conference title for the first time in 13 years. They haven’t been heavily involved on the offensive end in Games 1 and 2 of the NBA Finals and Doncic will have to help them find their mojo early in the upcoming contests to turn their 0-2 deficit around.
