Luka Doncic led all scorers with 32 points in Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Sunday, scoring much more efficiently than he did three nights earlier. Meanwhile, Jayson Tatum struggled with his shooting, hitting just 6-for-22 and is now 12-for-38 (32%) in the series. Despite Tatum’s shooting woes, the Boston Celtics have taken a 2-0 lead as the series heads to Dallas for Game 3 on Wednesday.
Celtics’ Collective Effort vs. Individual Performance
One player’s numbers don’t matter much when the team works together to produce good shots. The Celtics have increased their ball movement in the Finals, averaging 300 passes per 24 minutes of possession, compared to 293 per 100 possessions in the first three rounds of the playoffs. Conversely, the Mavericks have decreased their passes from 293 per 24 minutes to just 260 in the Finals.
Tatum’s Defensive Impact
Tatum’s Defensive Switches
- Number to Know: Tatum was the screener’s defender on 11 ball screens for Doncic in Game 2, up from just four in Game 1.
In Game 1, Dallas targeted Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis as screeners. However, in Game 2, Tatum was involved in more screens, often switching and keeping Doncic in check. The Mavericks scored just four points on 10 possessions when Tatum switched onto Doncic.
| Ball Screens for Doncic | Game 1 | Game 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Horford | 15 | 5 |
| Porzingis | 11 | 11 |
| Tatum | 4 | 11 |
| Others | 8 | 8 |
| Total | 38 | 35 |
Tatum’s switches were effective, with the Mavericks’ Doncic-Tatum actions yielding no points in the final 16 minutes of Game 2.
Doncic’s Defensive Challenges
Doncic’s Defense Under the Spotlight
- Number to Know: Tatum had a career-high 29 drives in Game 2.
The series has seen the Mavericks struggle offensively, but the Celtics have also succeeded by attacking Doncic on defense. Late in the second quarter of Game 2, the Celtics scored 10 points in four possessions by targeting Doncic.
- Holiday drove by Doncic after faking a screen for Tatum.
- Holiday set a real screen for Tatum, who crossed over Doncic for an and-1.
- Holiday set a screen for Jaylen Brown, resulting in a foul on Doncic.
- Brown spun past Doncic in transition, leading to a wide-open corner 3 for Holiday.
While Doncic had some defensive stops late in the game, his overall inconsistency on defense has been a weakness for the Mavericks.
Tatum’s Playmaking
Tatum the Creator
- Number to Know: Tatum assisted on 27 of his teammates’ points, tied for his fourth-most points assisted in 624 career games.
Tatum’s assists came not only from his drives but also from quick passes when drawing a second defender and from post double-teams. Despite his shooting struggles, Tatum has been instrumental in creating scoring opportunities for his teammates, who have capitalized on those chances.
Celtics’ Defensive Strategy
In Game 2, the Celtics showed more help on Doncic. However, the Mavericks’ supporting players, like Derrick Jones Jr., Josh Green, and Maxi Kleber, failed to make the Celtics pay for leaving them open. If this trend continues in Dallas, the series could end quickly in favor of the Celtics.(Jiliasia)
