Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

'No panic' for Mavericks ahead of G2 vs. Celtics

Written by 
Published in Basketball
Saturday, 08 June 2024 14:12

BOSTON -- The Dallas Mavericks have proved to be a dangerous team when they're facing an 0-1 deficit in a playoff series. They have a lot of practice.

The Mavs' 107-89 loss to the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of the NBA Finals marked the sixth time that Dallas has dropped the opener in seven series under coach Jason Kidd.

Dallas has recovered to win five of the previous six series despite falling behind, including the first two rounds of this postseason against the LA Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder.

By contrast, the rest of the NBA is 9-30 in Game 2s after losing the series opener over the last three postseasons, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

"There's no panic with this group," Mavs coach Jason Kidd said after Saturday's practice on the eve of Game 2. "We didn't play well in Game 1. Give credit to Boston; they did. But it's a series. We don't just look or capitalize on just one game. We've lost Game 1 a lot of times, and we've responded. We believe that we can respond in Game 2."

The Mavs became the first team in NBA history to trail by at least 25 points in the opener of three series in the same postseason, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Dallas bounced back from double-digit losses in their Game 1s against the Clippers and Thunder by evening the series with a road win in the next game.

The Celtics are well aware of their opponent's history of responding to series-opening setbacks.

"They come back in Game 2, so we're going to get a forceful, more aggressive team on Sunday," Celtics forward Jaylen Brown said, comments that were echoed by his co-star Jayson Tatum. "We got to be ready, because they're really good after a loss, so we can't be surprised. That's what I'm preparing my team for."

Mavs superstar Luka Doncic, in particular, has a tremendous track record in Game 2s and immediately after a playoff loss.

Doncic has averaged 33.9 points in Game 2s. It's the highest-scoring average in Game 2s in NBA history (minimum 5 games), six-tenths of a point higher than Michael Jordan.

Doncic has averaged 34.3 points per game immediately following a loss in playoff series. That is the highest-scoring average in NBA history in those situations (minimum 10 games), a point higher Michael Jordan.

Doncic finished Game 1 with 30 points on 12-of-26 shooting but a playoff-career-low only one assist. Kidd has encouraged Doncic to "take the layups" if the Celtics continue to prioritize preventing him from throwing alley-oops and passes to corner 3-point shooters off his drives.

"I think just be a little bit more aggressive," Doncic said. "I think we all came out for the game with little energy. So I think we have to be better with our energy, especially from the start."

Read 88 times

Soccer

Aguirre recalls Ochoa, Jiménez for USMNT friendly

Aguirre recalls Ochoa, Jiménez for USMNT friendly

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsHigh-profile veterans Guillermo Ochoa and Raúl Jiménez have earned...

Ronaldo, Mane lead Al Nassr to first ACL victory

Ronaldo, Mane lead Al Nassr to first ACL victory

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCristiano Ronaldo scored the winning goal as Al Nassr of Saudi Arab...

Pep: 'No doubts' Foden will rekindle City form

Pep: 'No doubts' Foden will rekindle City form

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsManchester City forward Phil Foden has struggled so far to scale th...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

LeBron refreshed, 'living in the moment' in Year 22

LeBron refreshed, 'living in the moment' in Year 22

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsEL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- For a team that needed a second-half surge ju...

Luka, Kyrie say Klay key to Mavs' title aspirations

Luka, Kyrie say Klay key to Mavs' title aspirations

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsDALLAS -- Asked for one word to summarize the Dallas Mavericks' app...

Baseball

MLB playoff preview: World Series odds, keys to success and predicted date of doom for all 12 teams

MLB playoff preview: World Series odds, keys to success and predicted date of doom for all 12 teams

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe 2024 MLB playoffs are here!Starting with this week's wild-card...

Sources: 1B coach Napoli among Cubs' staff cuts

Sources: 1B coach Napoli among Cubs' staff cuts

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsAfter missing the postseason for a fifth straight (full) year, the...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated