Luka Doncic took just two shots in the third quarter, didn’t score in the fourth quarter until 1:15 remained in the game, and scored just nine points in the second half and three in the fourth quarter.
But for the second straight game, he didn’t get enough support from his Mavericks teammates. This time on a night when the Boston Celtics did everything possible to give Dallas a chance to steal a game on the road.
Doncic connected on 12 of 21 shots and finished with 32 points, 11 assists, and 11 rebounds, marking his 10th career playoff triple-double and the first Finals triple-double in Mavericks’ history.
Doncic had his second consecutive Finals game with at least 30 points, but he is also playing with injuries. He has dealt with a sore left ankle and a sprained right knee for much of the playoffs and was downgraded to questionable for Game 2 after adding a bruised chest to his maladies.
He said he injured his chest taking a charge in Game 1, but called himself OK and well enough to play. But a majority of shots were outside the paint, including several step-back, fadeaway jumpers.
“Every game we lose is a missed opportunity for us,” Doncic said when asked if felt the Mavs missed a chance to take advantage of an off night by the Celtics. “At the end the day, we have to make shots to win the game.”
Dallas struggled from both the 3-point line (6 of 26) and the free-throw line (16 of 24). Doncic was 4 of 8 from the foul line and had eight of his team’s 15 turnovers.
“The small things, you know, we have to do the small things, and that’s part of the game,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. “Those are points that we left on the board, and we didn’t shoot free throws well tonight, and we have to be better.”
“He was great,” Mavs coach Jason Kidd said. “No matter what he says, that’s just who he is. He’s a leader. It’s not all on him. It’s a team. We win as a team, and we lose as a team.
“So, he put us in a position. He was really good tonight. Unfortunately, we just couldn’t get over the hump. I thought our defense was really, really good. We’ve just got to take care of the ball. There’s too many turnovers that gave them points, and then also being able to score the ball, and right now, we’ve got to find someone to join Luka and Ky in that scoring category.”
The Mavericks’ potent offense has been held under 100 points in both Finals games, and the Mavs are just 24.5% on 3-pointers. Kyrie Irving is shooting 35.1% from the field and is 0-for-8 on 3-pointers. In Game 2, the Mavs were 16-for-24 on free throws and committed 15 turnovers leading to 21 Celtics points.
