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There are plenty of numbers to note coming out of the Boston Celtics’ 107-89 thrashing of the Mavericks in Game 1 of the NBA Finals: Boston’s 27-point advantage from 3. Kyrie Irving’s 12 points (not nearly enough). Kristaps Porzingis’ 20 points and three blocks in his first game following a 38-day absence. Jaylen Brown’s 22 points on 12 shots to go with six stocks (three steals and three blocks).
But the number that stands out the most is one.
As in, the number of Luka Doncic assists.
Doncic has played 446 games, including the playoffs, in his career. Only six times has he been held to fewer than two assists. It had never happened in the playoffs until Thursday night. The Celtics decided they had the horses to play him straight up rather than having to commit to double teams, which in turn allowed their peripheral defenders to stay home on shooters and lob rollers.
“What makes our team really special is we don’t have guys we hide on defense,” Jayson Tatum said. “…We’re not showing [with a second defender] or anything like that because that can compromise your defense.”
Forcing defenses into this very compromise is Doncic’s superpower. He typically leverages his scoring prowess into open 3-point shots and easy rim finishes in his sleep. He’s going to get his 30 points just about every night, and indeed he did so in Game 1, but when he creates another 25-30 points via 10-12 assists, that’s when it gets overwhelming.
It’s easier said that done, but to Tatum’s point, Boston doesn’t play weak defenders that have to be helped. Everyone who saw time on Doncic held up one on one. Al Horford blocked one of Luka’s 3s and stayed on front of him in space multiple times. Brown picked his pocket. Hell, so did Sam Hauser. Tatum tracked him at every turn. Jrue Holiday never needs help. They doubled a bit when Derrick White and Payton Pritchard wound up on him, but even then it was measured.
It was apparent on Doncic’s first bucket of the game that Boston was going to trust its primary defender when Brown found himself isolated on Doncic…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/2024-nba-finals-how-celtics-stole-luka-doncics-super-power-in-game-1-with-disciplined-defense/
Author : Brad Botkin
Publish date : 2024-06-07 12:25:18
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