Mavericks Struggle in the NBA Finals

Kyrie Irving, known for his crucial shots in recent NBA Finals and exceptional ball-handling skills, has faced challenges in the current series. In Sunday game 2, Irving scored 16 points while battling Jrue Holiday's defense, following a 12-point performance in Game 1. As a result, the Mavericks fell to the Celtics 105-98, despite the triple-double of 32 points from Luka Doncic.

end Back to Dallas for Game 3.@Chime // #OneForDallas #MFFL pic.twitter.com/R0VvYnfHvC

— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) June 10, 2024

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Irving's shooting woes, including 13-for-37 in the Finals, have significantly hurt the Mavericks. Instead, the Celtics, with a balanced team effort, continue to thrive. Doncic and Irving are Dallas' leading scorers, and when Irving underperforms, the team's chances diminish.

Irving acknowledged his struggles, stating, “A lot of shots were hitting the back rim. That might make you angry as a competitor, but it's all part of the game of basketball. A little disappointed that I couldn't convert a lot more of my chances than i have in the lane obviously i go against jrue holiday and jaylen brown a few times but i feel like i have the edge on certain possessions i just have to convert.

Do something, 21 💪 pic.twitter.com/iYkuIKCWqR

— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) June 10, 2024

Holiday's defense has been a key factor in Irving's struggles. The Celtics point guard, often underrated despite his praise, has effectively contained Irving in the first two games, scoring 26 points in the second game.

The series now shifts to Dallas, where Irving and the Mavericks must regroup. Coach Jason Kidd's pregame comments about Jaylen Brown being Boston's best player added intrigue but didn't alter the outcome of the game. The Celtics received significant contributions from Derrick White and Kristaps Porzingis, underscoring their depth.

Irving remains upbeat, saying, “Now let's go home and shake off the cobwebs a little bit and get ready for another fight.”