Led 0-3 by the CelticsTHE Mavericks had no choice, something had to change. With different rotations, and the energy of desperation, Luka Doncic and his teammates responded with a big slap.
More aggressive defensively, the Dallas players were able to play faster, going for points under the circle.
“We played better offensively – and this is just my opinion, it can vary within the team – but I think we play better offensively when we make stops, when we can increase the pace, have opportunities in fast play. What we failed to do in the last matches » confessed Kyrie Irving.
It's always a virtuous cycle: a better defense allows you to attack opponents who are less well established more quickly. But even on a placed play, the Mavericks changed their approach during Game 4.
The Mavericks played faster, to sink under the circle
While until now they were losing their teeth on the “switches” of the C's, which prevented Kyrie Irving and especially Luka Doncic from creating the shifts that they obtained against the Clippers, the Thunder and the Wolves, the Mavericks attacked faster duels, challenging Boston defenders all the way to the circle.
In the first quarter alone, Dallas took 12 shots (8 successes) in Boston's “restricted area”, that is to say in the area located within a 1m20 radius of the circle. However, over the first three matches of the Finals, the Mavericks had only taken 73 shots in total in this zone (49 successes), or 24 per match on average…
“I've had a lot of (playoff) series and generally, from the second game, we have to make adjustments. In the third match, we do more. But during these first three games, we didn't really make any adjustments.” explained Al Horfordwhich speaks from the defensive point of view. “Today they clearly did something. We have to look at how to improve and prepare for it. This is broadly where we are. »
