DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks are down 0-2 in the 2024 NBA Finals. Their offensive struggles, especially three-point shooting, have been a talking point through the first two games of the series. Luka Doncic, though, has played well but has not received much help. So what is Doncic's message to the Mavericks amid their offensive woes?
“Just one thing, just keep shooting,” Doncic said on Tuesday.
The Mavs' defense has played fairly well in the series. When Dallas is getting to the basket, they are placing pressure on Boston. Long-range shooting has been an issue so far in the 2024 NBA Finals, however.
“We all believe in those shots,” Doncic continued. “That's how we came to the Finals. And that's how we played the whole season. We believe in those guys. Everybody believes. If you're open, just keep shooting. You're gonna knock them down at some point.”
The Celtics protected home court. It is not an ideal situation for the Mavs, but now they need to protect their home court. If they accomplish that goal, the series will head back to Boston tied at two games apiece.
Kyrie Irving's message to Luka Doncic
Kyrie Irving is shooting just 35.1 percent from the field. He has yet to connect on a three-point attempt in eight tries. Irving may benefit from being more aggressive from beyond the arc despite his struggles, as he's capable of heating up quickly.
Kyrie understands that he needs to play better. The Mavs star revealed his message to Luka Doncic after the first two games of the series.
“Yeah, well it started with me just telling my hermano I got to play better for him, alongside him,” Irving said on Tuesday. “In order for us to accomplish our goal we both have to play well. We both have to do the little things, whatever it takes to win. Easy conversation, but it started with me reaching out just letting him know that this is my fault. Taking accountability for not playing particularly well. But also I gotta continue to trust my guys around us, around me. Have fun in the process.
“We've gotten this far because we've been a great team. Not because we've put it on just me and Luka. It's been a total team effort, total organizational effort to get this far. We just gotta keep trusting in that. So pretty simple conversation.”
The Mavericks feature a quality roster. In the end, the team's success begins with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Doncic has played well for the most part despite battling injury concerns, but the Mavs need Irving to step up and play well.
Game 3 is scheduled for 8:30 PM EST on Wednesday night in Dallas.
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