After the Dallas Mavericks fell in Game 1 of the NBA Finals to the Boston Celtics by the score of 107-89, Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd made some headlines by calling Jaylen Brown the best player on the Celtics instead of Jayson Tatum, sparking some accusations that he was playing “mental warfare,” which Kidd denied in an interview ahead of Game 2.

“I gotta support a Cal Bear, and so he's family, but also, it was maybe taken out of context because I displayed everything that he's done. I even forgot that he was blocking shots,” Jason Kidd said, via NBA TV. “He is playing at a high level, he won the Eastern Conference (Finals) MVP, the Larry Bird Trophy. Understanding he picked up Luka (Doncic) full court, he was doing everything. And so for my opinion to think that I was playing mental warfare, I don't think anybody understands what mental warfare is played if I'm playing it.”

It was a balanced effort for the Celtics, but Jaylen Brown did lead the way with 22 points with six rebounds, along with three blocks that Kidd mentioned. Kristaps Porzingis added 20 points off of the bench as well. The Mavericks will have to come out with a better effort in Game 2 to even up the series before heading home for Game 3.

How can the Mavericks adjust and win Game 2?

When it comes to a big key to winning Game 2, Kidd said the Mavericks need to get off to a good start and limit the Celtics' three-point shooting.

“Yeah I think getting off to a good start, I thought we got off to a good start in Game 1 and understand the big thing is we gotta guard the three-point line, we gotta be able to make it a little bit tougher,” Kidd said, via NBA TV. “They made seven threes in that first quarter so for us as a group, we've talked about it. So we'll see how the first quarter goes, but having fun, understanding, try to apply some pressure by scoring and getting stops.”

When asked how the Mavericks can better defend the Celtics' starting lineup in which all five players are a threat from the outside, Kidd said the rotations have to be good, rather than it being defenders staying with their man.

“No, it's a rotation thing, in this league no one can guard anybody one-on-one, and so understanding the rotations, we have to be better in our rotations,” Kidd said, via NBA TV. “As a group we know that we can be better, so hopefully we can do that in Game 2.”

It will be interesting to see if the Mavericks can tighten their defensive rotations to make it tougher on the Celtics to get good looks from three. Game 2 is crucial for the Mavericks to avoid going down 2-0 in the series.