The Brilliant Strategy That Shut Down The Mavericks

[@Shhheye1]

Al Horford is *SUCH* a critical player, his affect on the game is profusely underestimated and overlooked. This guy tired Luka out, helps to stretch the floor, and is all around just a player I love to watch. I would love to see him speak to the media more. They need to give him more flowers 💐

[@VaanRavi]

The only ppl who underestimate him are ppl not from Boston. We don't here

[@jdrmanmusiqking]

Hes great but dirty low-key so i don't really rocks with him

[@CharlesInCharge47]

His 2nd tier of his career as a old guy role player has been so underrated

[@javierlandaverde4108]

Former all star. Obviously past his prime but does the job well.

[@TheRedBaron1917]

Perfect Celtics big man

[@kerro-Sama30]

Tatum bein’ able to play the five and his versatility on switches along with porzi is just a cheat bruh, how can you compete

[@HoopVenue]

Insane defense

[@kerro-Sama30]

​@@HoopVenue they usually let JT play 1v1 against big men on n‘ he pretty much holds his own well, on top havin’ a 7’3 player at the rim n’ Jrue at the nail to force t/o’s on drives, it's insane.

[@king23166]

🤔lol wolves match up better with boston than mavs , it's all about match ups

[@maur2k443]

@@king23166agreed

[@boblully5053]

@@king23166yup wolves match up well

[@foxy1340]

This was Joes best coaching moment so far

[@Love.saucing2]

All he did was copy thunders scheme against mavs.

[@SwiftSloan]

@@Love.saucing2we’ve been cooking the mavs for the past 2 years by an average of around 20 point wins. If anything okc looked at the Celtics scheme but couldn’t capitalize the way the C’s can

[@rayshaunharris9497]

@@Love.saucing2lmao we played them like this for yrs buddy it just wasn’t playoff defense

[@Mitch_Feral]

@@Love.saucing2 This is the fifth game in a row that Boston has won against Dallas in the last two years - one of them was by single digits, the game before this year's trade deadline. Three have been blow outs. Luka gets his points, but nothing else works right on offense. Im sure Mazzulla has taken ideas from lots of places, but OKC doesnt have the personnel to do what Boston does, so saying he took that scheme is an exaggeration.

[@minyeongchung]

@@Mitch_Feralcongrats, also Boston 11-0 against Kyrie. See how much it impacts the rest of the series 😊 I think Dallas and Kyrie will stomp that history. But what do I know. I’m just a Mavs fan 😂

[@rasimons1]

One thing barely anyone talks about this Celtics duo is that they’re the foremost experts at defending heliocentric offenses. By necessity. They came into the career in a conference with Giannis and Embiid entering their primes. And they’ve largely won the battles with these two scoring phenoms who operate in a heliocentric system. Tatum and Brown (and Joe, as part of the Celtics staff since 2019) have developed tons of techniques to handle this type of player. Luka is a great version of this player and has even more playmaking, but nonetheless the Celtics do have quite a lot of experience handling them and dealing with counters.

[@Mitch_Feral]

I have never heard that term applied to anything other than sun flowers, and similar plantlife, but it makes a ton of sense, contextually.

[@Ironfangzu]

It's not just the Celtics' experience in dealing with this kind of superstar. It's their personnel. For example, Kyrie struggled mightily, because it was hard as hell to get by Holiday, or White. Then, on switches, he has to beat Brown, who is fast, strong and quick. Then at the rim, he gets Horford or Porzingis. Every team wants to harass Kyrie the way that the Celtics are doing. But they don't have the personnel. The fact is, the Celtics starting 5 are all plus defenders, and on offense all 5 guys can score. That makes them a very hard puzzle to solve. Can they be beaten? Yes they can. But if the Mavs don't figure out a way to take the Celts out of what they like to do, they're not going to win. If the Mavs play their normal game and the Celts play their normal game, the Mavs will lose. The Celts will let Luka get his 30, or even 40. But the other Mavs need to step up quick, or the chip goes to Boston.

[@jdrmanmusiqking]

Heliocentric players cant win unless they have stacked super teams and/or NBA help Dallas has neither

[@javierlandaverde4108]

Luka is a generational talent but he’s very more similar to a James Harden 2.0 with slight difference. This isn’t a bad thing for Luka. He’s a generational high usage player who runs the offense and system and takes his shots. Dallas more like that 2014 - 2016 Houston Rockets team. Luka (Harden) Kyrie (Chris Paul) just that Curry and the warriors were the grim reaper. Dallas didn’t have to go through the warriors.

[@jayr399]

Giannis is just tall. He’s not nearly as skilled as Luka

[@williamnegron9452]

Loved seeing Porzingis directing pre-switches. What a brilliant gameplan, executed so well

[@Devstaa]

celtics definitely looked at mavs vs okc. schemed and figured that the role players weren’t gonna have legacy games like they didn’t against the thunder

[@Drizzlybear1]

Also the guards on Boston (Holiday and White) are MUCH better defenders than Shai and Giddey. It's what makes this way more successful for Boston

[@yrnquin1560]

@@Drizzlybear1shai is an elite defender himself. It’s just giddey that’s a liability

[@Monmonfg]

True, and better yet they took away the corner threes and lobs which is the only source of scoring from this guys when luka and kyrie are not creating on their own… and yeah kyrie also was a non factor… impressed by bostons preparation and execution also got multiple steals on luka and he was running on fumes in the 4th says alot about the offensive and defensive burden boston has on him

[@sylvanusblimpo154]

Shark is a good defender. Just giddey

[@Drizzlybear1]

@@sylvanusblimpo154 Shai is an ol defender but not on the same level of defense as Jrue Holiday and Derrick White. It's also not just pure defense but size and physicality, Jrue has the strength to make Luka uncomfortable and White is a defensive genius, he's almost always in the right place at the right time and is so sneaky.

[@Vipaenneous]

fire breakdown

[@HoopVenue]

Appreciate it!

[@jason10842]

@@HoopVenue This was honestly the best breakdown I've seen. Learned a ton. Thank you. Plus I think dude in comment up top just wanted to say "heliocentric". Doesn't that only apply when u r playing Phoenix?!? ;-) Thanks again. Tremendous knowledge dropped in 12 min. Nice!

[@MohawkIndustriesDal-Tile]

This is what I was looking for in the ESPN half time show. Instead we just got 40 fucking commercials.

[@Dcthetruth85]

Horford showing that defensive IQ.

[@eulergarcia705]

Al is the veteran defender that any team needs, I'm glad he finally got his ring.

[@dwanewarner7632]

The sixers are killing themselves now...they had hortford and butler😮😂😂

[@co2metal]

@@dwanewarner7632 it's hartford

[@Rocco-bm9cf]

​@@co2metal It's Horfred

[@edgarsnake2857]

Great analysis. Thanks.

[@THE_HORSEYY]

7:45 and Horford got pushed off and luka still gets blocked😂😂 smh

[@frz_-]

Fair to call the celtics a better playoff defense than the twolves?

[@j.froMMA]

fair to say the celts match up way better than the wolves did. and i also believe that the celts defensive rating would have been the best in the league had many games not ended by the 4th and let their bench have a ton of garbage time minutes.

[@sindilacion]

Wolves had trouble containing the star 1-2 pubches that can operate on the perimeter all year. The 3rd and 4th options were the guys that would struggle to get it going against them.

[@boethius8114]

I suspect the Celtics would be #1 rated in the regular season if you factor out when the bench is put in garbage time in blowouts.

[@rasimons1]

Yeah you can’t just look at the teams net rating and conclude the wolves are just better. The wolves have a great defense but they also have two bigs in the starting lineup that are super uncomfortable past the free throw line. You can switch those guys and go at them from the arc for an A++++ matchup. The same isn’t true of the Celtics who have 4 all-defense wing defenders that are also part of the nba’s #1 team in blocks during the regular season.

[@Mitch_Feral]

@@boethius8114 This right here. C's had SO much bench time over the course of the season, and still ended up #2. They are a great deal more complete than Minny. Notably, Minny has a better whistle on defense than Boston - they are generally able to play more physically than the Celtics are allowed. To their credit, they take full advantage, but it bit them a couple times in the playoffs, bc if the refs start evening out the calls, they get in foul trouble quickly, and they dont have the kind of depth that Boston does, so foul trouble really hurts them.

[@Jbf-76]

This channel is so underrated. So, so good, and well presented. I'm a huge fan.

[@HoopVenue]

Thank you so much!

[@Jbf-76]

@@HoopVenue I literally tell other people about it, and tell them too check it out. I don't do that very often.. You should increase your volume of breakdowns. You have a natural gift for it and the perfect casual/moderate toned voice that doesn't make it feel rushed. It's impressive.

[@petrektek1385]

The only possible answer is switching from lob squad to 3 pointers feast. Just like Miami did.

[@GodSon91]

I like this 🙏🏾

[@Toucansam46]

Miami had to shoot a historic percentage to beat the Celtics. Let’s see if the Mavs can do it cause that’s their only chance in my eyes

[@frederickdelius1106]

They need to unlock something new and make it consistent from lively or Gafford. And have both play good. Not just win one from that happening, they will do so much more

[@Drizzlybear1]

​@@Toucansam46 and it only worked for one game. Mavs have pretty good shooters but they're all going to have to shoot extremely well for 4 games for this to work

[@PrideSnack]

But 2 centers has no 3's and no lope pose or mid range shooting

[@xavierb9061]

People forget celts #1 offense nba history. Who cares what luka does. More he scores, less energy has for defense

[@chll3194ch]

Yeah but the mavs will adjust and make the Celtics play iso ball to see who wins finals mvp between tatum and brown and they’re gonna shoot the Celtics out the game the Celtics live and die by the 3 and we all saw that on the run Dallas made to cut it to 8 if Dallas doesn’t slack Boston is gonna come back to Boston down 3-1

[@mememe8073]

@@chll3194ch The problem is that the Mavs don't have anyone to play defense if Celtics go to ISO ball.. Mavs don't have personnel to be able to guard JB, JT, or KP 1:1. Lets be real here. I'm rooting for the Mavs because it would be insane if they win but they don't have enough defense to contain JB, JT or KP. This isn't uncommon though, the rest of the NBA didn't have enough defense for them either.

[@tommykun1990]

@@chll3194chlol so you really think it’s smart to have Luka and kyrie guard Tatum or brown all game because that’s exactly who’s going to guard them with screens.

[@chll3194ch]

@@tommykun1990 I never said that

[@Drizzlybear1]

​@@chll3194chThe Mavs two best players are poor defenders so if they defend the Celtics 1 on 1 they would be pulling their bigs away from the basket leaving Tatum and Brown to go 1 on 1 with open lanes to basket, the Celtics will just run screens and get Luka or Kyrie onto Tatum and Brown and get easy layups

[@KNRS927]

The Celtics just know how to take away a superstar’s strengths and have the personnel to do so. They took away Luka’s lob threats and the corner passes that he loves to make, and that messed up the offense for Dallas. Boston is just such a versatile, switchable team on defense and that’s tough to score on.

[@kenyanmamba282]

It's a crime hoop venue only has 92k subs

[@dillsmacker2446]

Thanks for reminding me to sub

[@acornsucks2111]

They are only concerned about trump.

[@FortisOnFort]

@@acornsucks2111wdym

[@AndyCromer-kl9jz]

Fr

[@JP-rl4bc]

Well he just got another one

[@jackieclark2004]

I really found your breakdown very informative and your analysis on the game was awesome!

[@Chris-fl5lw]

this analysis is incredible, thank you!

[@georgebanker2669]

Kudos to the Celtics coaching staff.

[@rjcaubalejo]

As a mavs fan It is sad to watch that this analysis is true I even tried to play simulation against the Celtics, 3 times, Mavs didnt win a single game Hope they bounce back this game 2

[@nsp74]

fair

[@BigA678]

As a Mavs fan how does it feel knowing JB is Luka’s father?

[@calebfleming123]

@@BigA678he’s gotta beat him in the finals first

[@emmanueljoshuad.parreno22]

Aw

[@sugarnads]

​@@calebfleming123🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@ASH-RAID]

Great breakdown 🍀

[@slimmsg7]

spot on, very impressive ...

[@glodibok]

Dope breakdown! Deserved a sub

[@ArczAngel]

all of that being said, Tatum is just chilling imagine if all of the Boston's cylinders rolling.

[@jennyfeedradan1108]

Such a good analysis. I enjoy this one

[@mushrifahmed8107]

This was a great breakdown!

[@mavericks2k811]

Matchups make fights, this is going to be a sweep

[@dk6173]

Mavs fan here and the Celtics played great, especially KP. Defending my Mavs though, Luka had minimal help and the Mavs defense wasn't able to adjust but all the credit goes to the Celtics. I'd like the Mavs to win and hope for a clean series. It's wild to because KP was on the Mavs for 2 seasons I think, but he never gelled or was constantly injured.

[@williamnegron9452]

The potential assist don't tell as much of the story as the actual assists do. Luka with 7 potential assists, but only one actual assist is a testament to the shot selection you mentioned the Celtics held them to. No lobs, no corner 3s. Lower percentage shots.

[@simplyjamarr]

Great video Brodie !

[@francisedusil]

The best breakdown I have seen for Game 1

[@Hoops24]

Jeff Van Gundy aka "COACHING ADVISOR" 😉😉 was the Ace that insured Joe wouldn't screw up. Thanks Brad

[@LaniJeb96960]

Thanks for giving tips to Jason Kidd

[@Sarakness]

Great content..

[@themacca277]

I think the mavs are probably going to start running hanging screens to slow down the switches and help clear out space low for the centers to catch against the smaller guys while kyrie/luka will pull the double off the screens

[@legcoolkid]

oh yeah i been waitin on this😁

[@reyjgonzales2130]

I believe that, in some way, Brad Stevens is part of this brilliant strategy. His thinking outside the box still affects Joe's coaching.

[@Punch240]

Hilariously satisfying to hear you up LUKA so much knowing full well he just doesn't measure up physically or mentally.He doesn't have what it takes to EVER BE A CHAMPION 🏆 I LOVE IT 😍

[@albertsebastian4489]

We all know who has come prepared and ready to play the finals! Banner 18!!..

[@minyeongchung]

😅

[@DFCLPZ]

Great breakdown. Where do you find these specific stats like the horford vs kyrie and Luka matchup?

[@jay_bird83126]

I think right now, the only real choice for the Mavs is either go Double Bigs or no bigs and get more shooters out there. With Double Bigs, KP and Tatum are both going to have to cover or risk the lob, that would also make the switch to KP easier, or force Brown to fight over the screen and give Luka or Ky some space to shoot. Or play more shooters, which would eliminate the Lob game, but it would either force KP out to the perimeter to defend or risk them start hitting the 3 and getting hot.

[@CoastRecordings]

Amazing breakdown

[@Sup_bro23]

Offensively PJ and Jones are not those guys, Mavs are cooked

[@makgeoff]

Mazzulla intentionally kept KP off as much as he can when both Kyrie and Doncic on floor to make it all switchable. The challenge for Mavs here is for those non shooters to make their open shots. And if Celtics plays loose on them much like they did against Miami, Mavs can steal G2. Expect the refs to get some key Celtics players in foul trouble early to give Mavs a chance too

[@siahpub7410]

BEST DETAILED VIDEO EVER... THE LUKA 7 POSSIBLE AST INSTEAD OF 1 AST

[@Mecofmecs]

Yk hoop venue has the most fundamental jump shot in any local gym.

[@HoopVenue]

Bro 😂

[@yd6852]

The problem with mavs playing better shooters is that they are a bigger liability on defense which is a problem when you're going against the celtics with 3 level scoring and great defense. You just aren't gonna keep up with them if the defense can't stop your opponents

[@lisandrogrisolia529]

Nice breakdown, keep the coming!!

[@PolitiCasts]

Huge over reaction to game one. If you take the first quarter out, the mavericks win the game. Obviously they made their adjustments and came out MUCH better.

[@Nice-sm5hr]

I think we’ll know by tomorrow whether it’s really gonna be a series or not

[@PolitiCasts]

@@Nice-sm5hr Very true.

[@blackgerman9735]

Let me guess you going to take away the Celtics blocks too? If they wouldn’t have got blocked they would have made more? The 1st quarter is apart of the game so you can’t just take away the 1st quarter to fit your narrative.

[@PolitiCasts]

@blackgerman9735 I get your point. I was just using that to show that it looks like the mavs made some adjustments and would of won the game if not for their awful first quarter.

[@Averagedre]

if you take away Bostons points then the mavericks should’ve won this game😂

[@The1badJackal]

As a mavericks fan it was hard to watch. My pops damn near said the samething your saying about how my mavs got beat.

[@Salsainglesa]

Great analysis mate.

[@WestbrickFansGotNoBrains]

i was worried a little. cause horford did really badly against cavs and pacers in pick and roll and switches. but mavs couldn't utilize that weakness. good thing is that luka isn't the guy to beat you off your feet with quickness which is horford weakness at his age.

[@Bunji1x]

A potential adjustment could be using the big in off ball action with kps man in a situation where the Celtics are forced to switch or give up a layup, like an open side split cut. That way if they don’t switch or send help it’s a layup. If they switch, they can attack KP. And if they send help from a corner it’s an open 3 for a guy like PJ or kyrie (whoever isn’t involved in the action).

[@jacobyoung9981]

This could work, but it would really eat the play-clock, especially if guys like JB are picking Luca up at half. This would require them to bring the ball up, set off-ball screens to hopefully switch KP onto a big, and then run their pick and roll to attack KP. Definitely could work, but Luca would have a lot less time to be patient in working the pick and roll while attacking KP.

[@Bunji1x]

@@jacobyoung9981 very true. I think this could be a set play for a few possessions rather than a whole gameplan, though. If it works really well and is efficient in the possessions it’s utilized, then maybe the go back to it more. But the clock is a problem for this. Maybe they push the pace more with a screen in the backcourt to get Luka into the front faster. Or, they use Kyrie to bring the ball up while brown guards Luka, then bring Luka in after. I see the problem with this though

[@flava1982]

This was a good exchange of strategy and counters 💪🏽

[@Rizzveyweinstein]

Wish bro could break down my arguments w my girl,so I know where I went wrong.

[@tommy9yanez]

It's funny, I've improved a little my ability to debate by watching these breakdown videos; you start noticing patterns and paying more attention to details.

[@frz_-]

How can the mavs get lively and gafford out of the dunker spot and rolling to the rim more?

[@noahembrey8375]

It’s gonna be pretty difficult bc the Celtics are switching EVERYTHING. Maybe off-ball cutting to the rim, but that’s easier said than done against this defense

[@rasimons1]

The Celtics limited this by putting Tatum on the bigs. So if the big comes out and picks and then rolls to the basket, it’s Tatum and his size/smarts going back with them.

[@KingJulianFan22]

Good video hope Luka can get fit over the post season 🎉

[@michaeldavis5903]

Adjustments for the Mavs? Kyrie not being a double agent would be a great start. He lets Boston fans get to him and it's so obvious. Mavs are well-built and coached, but players not named Luka need to step up. Otherwise, Luka's gonna run out of steam like Tatum in the 2022 finals. Celtics are an elite team. The only answer is to play better.

[@cliffwoodbury5319]

Everyone talks about the Timberwolves and their #1 defense... I'm happy you made that statement and than spoke on Rudy falling back to below the 3 point line.... BECAUSE POZINGIS WOULD HAVE STEPS UP AND MET LUCA AT THE LINE! Golbert is not mobile enough and that strategy right there is why I know/knew that the Timberwolves defense is not better than the Celtics defense. I mean there are about 5 other reasons (players) why the Celtics are better.

[@kgtd2160]

Except gobert did step up a ton on luka and forced the ball out of his hands. It was KAT who was always late on rotations that either resulted in a wide open dunk or an open corner three. You would know this if you actually watched the games. Gobert was not the problem defensively it was either KAT or a tired af ant who were slacking.

[@cliffwoodbury5319]

@@kgtd2160 Gobert steps forward - Porzingis steps UP - that's the difference between the teams 2. Plus the Celtics ride for each other, and at their hearts they are all great defenders. the Timberwolves core players are not great defenders at heart.

[@kgtd2160]

@@cliffwoodbury5319 Gobert steps UP. The only difference is that Porzingis' teammates are more disciplined on d or just straight up huge unlike a mike conley to make a difference at the rim. Derrick white is the best shot blocking guard this season. Jrue is jrue. Tatum and brown are athletic/huge. They are extremely switchable on d. Also as i said before, it sure is a hellava lot easier to play drop coverage when your point of attack defender never gets screened. And again, that's why the defense failing to execute against the mavs was more so on the perimeter guys, not gobert. He was a net positive the entire series.

[@cliffwoodbury5319]

@@kgtd2160 It's funny because before Porzingis Celtics would be classified as a small team, because brown and holiday aren't big (they are very strong) in NBA terms.... but the team rides for each other on defense, and so individualy the Celtics can make more mistakes on defense than probably any team in the league, because there will almost always be a player there to help them out. I was watching a video on D. White yesterday and he played an offensive player in such a bad way but Tatum came out of nowhere and because he took the position he took he actually came away with a deflection that lead to Tatum having the ball. On every other team he would have had an easy basket.... AND ABOUT GOBERT I'M JUST PLAYING.... He is AMAZING... I'm from Boston so you know how that goes... He defininently isn't Porzingis on the basketball court though, because we are finnally seeing Porzingis playing how we always knew he could. If he could just stay healthy.

[@kgtd2160]

@@cliffwoodbury5319 well whoops this was a r/whoosh moment for me then. Honestly I've seen so many people coming out of their basements to try and bash on Gobert after the wolves lost to the mavs it was insane to watch. I really think the Cs can win it all this season, here's for the best!

[@Maru-ck9kp]

Tatum playing 1-5 all season dude is a monster

[@bohansenboh]

Obviously the series went how it went, but I'm surprised they didn't do more spain p-n-r, with their best 3pt shooter (kyrie) as the initial screener. This would have created a more dynamic roll threat while allowing Kyrie to get some open 3s and attack off the dribble.

[@ChristopherP]

This is 'thee' breakdown video🔥

[@makgeoff]

I've said before the so called No. 1 defense in reg season still needs to be tested to show its true colors as wolves' twin towers are not ultra switchable. Celtics under Ainge & Stevens has always been building the team with 2 way switchable high IQ players, much like the Bulls in 90s and Warriors. If Celtics wins a championship, the work of Ainge & Stevens were very instrumental as well

[@saulslinkontwitch]

is Kyrie missing open 3s or giving a bad pass a strat? or is that a player having a horrible way and maybe costing mavs a game or just making it a closer game?

[@ballinwitac2258]

I think the adjustment is to run that ball screen with an empty side Conner because Washington and Jones are better in the conners and that could put the Celtics drop in a conflict

[@kgtd2160]

Imo the biggest difference between this celtics defense and the wolves' is that their point of attack defenders' screen navigation. They just never seem to get screened and that really hampers luka's ability to establish position. Jrue and derrick white are probably the best in the business atm. Jaden was getting screened all the time and that forced him to play rear view contest every single time which forced gobert to get up and meet luka hence easy lobs for gafford and lively. Jaden gets wiped off of screns a lot and most of the time it doesn't matter that much since he's just too long, but against luka that shit don't work. To me it was more about the perimeter defense than gobert. Simple as that.

[@SuperDarthLink]

11:16 bro Luka Dončić is something else 😂

[@jeffbobbalwbs2104]

I was enjoying luka gassing out by fourth quarter. That was understated. Might of missed it comments. Also did Celtics fans get to Kyrie? ( I hope so), (n I know this is for coach scheming)

[@camwarwick8639]

Prior to the finals I just could not help but laugh every single time Steven a Smith said this is the most historic back court in the NBA and they will beat Boston with this type of scoring… because I knew damn well how much better the Boston defense was compared to Minnesota 😂😂😂

[@nsp74]

in short, Mazulla is a freaking genius great video

[@stevewalker4586]

well done. Horeford was a beast!

[@jp23x]

It was just one game and they did cut the lead from what 26 down to 8. If kyrie had played well they might have been able to make the game competitive in the 4th quarter. This is all despite them having a bad game

[@jajanka10]

Mavs can hope that Boston gives them a 2nd chance in 2 games. If they do not steal a game now It's over in 4 or 5. Celtics actually play better on the road.

[@Mitch_Feral]

All Al has lost is speed, and some of his lift - he's better now at everything else, on both sides of the ball. Luka is unusually ill-equipped to take advantage of him for an elite scorer; Luka's slowdown isnt a huge factor against Al's experience, Al's stronger, and longer - and, of course, has great help all around him. It's a tough nut to crack. People keep saying the Mavs wont shoot this bad again, but like, Luka shot his average for his average. He grabbed his average boards. Had his average turns. Washington was slightly better than normal, and didnt turn it. Kyrie essentially left his threes at home - if he'd hit his average there, about 3 makes, give or take, he'd basically have hit his average for his average. And the stuff the C's took away - mainly the gimme baskets to Lively and Gafford - I'm not sure how either of those players are going to change things up, bc their scoring is less about them, and more about how the sets are being defended. No one is going to be scared if either of the Mavs bigs drift into space and get the ball. They are only a threat directly under or at the basket. I'm excited to see how Dallas changes things up to try and get them free - Lively is the most important player in the series, in my eyes, and if Boston gets him in foul trouble, again, or even just limits his touches, I'm not sure the Mavs have a plan B.

[@joshbrown2217]

It's actually criminal that we are not using Maxi's 3 point shooting this series. Before he was injured he was being used a lot with his defensive actions and high percentage 3 point shooting, now we don't even try rotating the ball to him. I also think Gafford and Derick Lively have gotten too use to attacking the bucket, they really need to start doing more fakes to the basket and passing it out wide, they're just getting shut down at every point.

[@sullywinn4225]

This is how you stop a superstar. Luka definitely wasn't 100%, but the blueprint remains the same. Get them out of their comfort zone and keep them there for 48 minutes. Remember in game 5 when Jaylen said, "If Luka stays, I stay!" This is the attitude of champions. Ball is in Luka's court now to get in better shape and expand his game.

[@cmac6877]

This is why Miami is such a good matchup - the Cs are going to make you shoot 3s, and I don’t think the Mavs have enough shooters to win this one

[@Spacetech3000]

I think the mavs only option is to force tatum to switch into luka and luka play like the best player in the world. Idk not the best option still

[@Averagedre]

5:05 luka really got plucked by Sam Hauser😂😂😂😂😂

[@cordova2593]

10:34 Watching this live I couldn’t believe my eyes. Kristaps is 7’3 what is going through your head

[@Unneededinfo]

Luka is on Roids...he got caught yesterday

[@ericlauterbach8182]

Credit to Brad Stevens for building an insanely versatile team on both ends

[@sabrecat6511]

Boston going to the Finals again and coming out of the East again next year. The East top players Giannis, Lillard, Mitchell, and others all seems to get on-going injuries during playoff time. The Boston coach is a smart and chess player. He knew Dallas only had 2 players scoring so it was too easy for him to implemented his game plan on them.

[@captainzeppos]

"JASON KIDD’S complete incompetence just cost the Mavericks a championship vs. CELTICS"

[@HappyDayz-jf6vt]

They have no answers for the pornzingis pick and pop cause he always end up with smaller man on em he could either shoot over the top or roll to the block or get to the post

[@hungo7720]

Porzingis and Jaylen Brown defended immaculately in game 1 which was crucial for the Celtics' win. However, this is just game 1 and Jason Kidd can make adjustments.

[@javierlandaverde4108]

Jason Kidd has never made an adjustment playing BOS. BOS have been whoopin Dallas ass last two season in regular season.

[@doge1590]

Its all about Mavs (attack) and Boston (defense), nobody talk about other side pitch. Keep the same energy btw.

[@kazehana877]

Luka cooked all series on offense, got cooked all series on defense😂😂😂

[@izzynarvaez1223]

Here’s how the Mavs force an advantage: 1) Luka comes into Game 2 knowing he’s going to get single coverage, 2) Luka torches any player they put in front of him 1v1, 3) Luka has about 15 in the first quarter alone, and 4) Mazzulla blinks and starts sending the blitz. If Luka is going to be that guy… he cannot allow a team to switch 38 year old Al Horford onto him with great success. Force the double by scoring 1v1.

[@Averagedre]

lol luka attacking 1 on 1 all game is exactly what Joe wants

[@izzynarvaez1223]

@@Averagedre yeah, people said the same thing about Shaq, Jordan, and LeBron, too. Hell, Minnesota tried this against Joker in Round 2. If Luka is really that guy, a true transcendent superstar, you can’t just let him go 1v1 all game for an entire series. That’s how you get things like Shaq averaging 38ppg in a final series. If Luka is efficient enough, they’ll start blitzing

[@Averagedre]

@@izzynarvaez1223 sigh why do you mavs fans continuously bring up other players/matchups when trying to compare Boston and how to beat them this is the Celtics with JT JB KP D White Jrue Al… we arent the twolves we arent denver we arent okc we arent the clippers we arent shaq we arent kobe we arent mj whoever, all of what you brought up is completely irrelevant… luka could go for 50 for Boston does not care you will be playing into Bostons wheelhouse if luka is trying to hunt mismatches all game the way to beat Boston is by winning the possessions and shot margins luka hunting mismatches all game does not allow that Boston will live with inefficient stepback 3s and mid ranges what Boston is looking to stop is the role players going off and the open corner 3s which they did just that in game 1 and just lived with luka cooking one man cannot beat this complete team ask Giannis how that went in 2022

[@izzynarvaez1223]

@@Averagedre I’m not a Mavs fan. I literally live in Boston. What I brought up is entirely relevant because it is the only chance the Mavericks have in this series. Luka dropped 70+ on Atlanta earlier this year when they refused to double and refused to blitz. If Boston is going to switch their big onto Luka in PnR, he HAS to hunt that and do so efficiently. That’s the only way the lobs and corner 3s open up. Daring a superstar to score enough 1v1 is hardly some new, reality altering scheme. That has existed in every era, ever. It is the star’s main offensive job to break those types of schemes and force adjustments. Yes, that’s Mazzulla’s game plan… but, no, it doesn’t mean that’s going to work. If Luka is scoring 1.1+ points per iso, you best believe those doubles and blitzes will start coming. That’s the Mavericks best chance. FORCE Mazzulla to double. Hey, it might work, though. If it keeps working, it means Luka isn’t good enough for this moment. If Luka can’t roast mismatches in space EFFICIENTLY enough to force Boston to double, the Mavs deserve to lose because it means their star failed. It means Luka failed. I don’t claim to know what will happen. We’ll find out. That’s why they play the games. My point is that the Mavs best chance is Luka accepting Mazzulla’s challenge and breaking that scheme. I stand on that.

[@izzynarvaez1223]

@@Averagedre told you, bruh

[@audidreamscometrue]

There is a way the Mavs can win! No one is talking about it though. Have everybody but luka and kyrie fake an injury and build a roster equal to the celtics from guys on 10 day contracts

[@thegame7557]

Luka will start faking his injuries if they lose game 2. Might start early if they are down by a lot in the game. I hope they have answers to make this series interesting.

[@youngcaprio5972]

I'm convinced Kyrie has a big mental block against the Celtics lol. Most of these shots are pretty makable for him. Literally he's wide open on some of these threes, and the layups are just stupid misses. Good defense on some of them, but also just gotta make those.

[@french0103]

Boston Celtics….. hold the leprechaun 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂🏆

[@jjcometa9333]

Only 2 days after Game 1 did i want to watch game 1 breakdowns😂. As a mavs fan it hurts that mavs came this far, but at the same time at least i know how capable this team is just after 1 season of improvement

[@nbapbaupdate8338]

LUKA MAGIC UNSTOPPABLE on OFFENSE but low FG

[@kazehana877]

Also less effective than a traffic cone on defense😂😂😂

[@rifaiakbar4681]

The big difference actually is the 3pt. Mavericks shooter accuracy dropped even with clear shot attempts, giving Celtics an allowancein defense

[@enzorocha2977]

My takeaway from all this aside from the flowers given to the Celtics' defense is that KAT is a bum lol He should be ashamed a 38yo Al Holford can do so much more than he can on D

[@totemwolf]

Watching that game i feel like the celtics got away with a lot more physical defense than the Timberwolves in the games before, right?

[@nossenkanter]

"Having a way more talented team" 🤯🤯🤯

[@mcronn1002]

Thank you for this video it just gave me good insight on how teams play defense. Game 2 will be different for Luka/ maverick’s 1st kyrie will be better I think 💭 the booing affected him/ 2nd Washington/ jones jr will shoot the 🏀 better. And inclosing for some unknown reason the Celtics lose focus on game 2. This concerns me hopefully they don’t let The mavericks win game 2. Because if they do it means they have lost home 🏠 court advantage.!! Go 🍀

[@marcoonthe808s]

btw luka have the highest blow-by percentage (while playing defense) in that series