Luka Doncic pinpoints Mavericks' major issue after 0-2 NBA Finals start: "We just can’t really score"
The Dallas Mavericks found themselves in a 0-2 hole in the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics. Luka Doncic reflected on their inability to score up to this point of the series.
Doncic pointed it out during his session with media on Tuesday ahead of Game 3 of their best-of-seven series on Wednesday in Dallas. He highlighted that while their defense has been holding up against the Celtics, their offense as a whole has not been as fluid.
The five-time NBA All-Star said:
"Our defense has not been bad. We just can't really score. That's our main problem right now. I think we're getting some great looks, and like I said, we have confidence that everybody can make a shot. That's shooting the ball on our team, so we just gotta keep believing it."
Check out what he had to say below:
In the two games so far, the Mavericks have averaged 93.5 points on 44.5% shooting, compared to Boston, who has been good for 106 points and 46.3% per game.
Luka Doncic has been steady for 31 points on a 51% shooting clip, to go along with 10.5 rebounds, six assists, and three steals in 41 minutes of play. But after him, there has been a considerable drop in scoring, with PJ Washington coming in next with 15.5 points.
Struggling mightily with his offense is Kyrie Irving, who has been putting in only 14 points a game on 35.1% shooting. He has also missed all of his eight three-point attempts so far in the series.
Also not getting it done offensively are Derrick Jones Jr. and Dereck Lively, steady contributors in the earlier playoff rounds, but have only been good for eight and two points, respectively, on a combined 40% clip.
Luka Doncic taking blame for team's early struggles in NBA Finals
Luka Doncic is taking the blame for the Dallas Mavericks' early struggles in the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics. He said he has to be better to inspire his team and for them to start winning.
Dallas dropped to a 0-2 hole in the NBA Finals after losing to the Celtics, 105-98, in Game 2 on Sunday. While they played far better than the series opener, it was still not enough to beat the balanced attack of the Celtics.
Luka Doncic had a triple-double of 32 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists but he said certain facets of his game were not up to par and did not help their cause in Game 2.
He told reporters after the game:
"My turnovers and my missed free throws cost us the game. I've got to do way better in those two categories."
In Game 2, Luka Doncic had eight of the team's 15 turnovers and went 4-of-8 from the charity stripe. The Mavericks will try to narrow the series gap when they host Game 3 on Wednesday in Dallas.