Mavs fail to support Doncic, causing significant stress on the team.
Lone ranger Luka Doncic can't steer the Dallas Mavericks to their long-awaited first NBA title since the Dirk Nowitzki era: In game two of the finals, the Mavs fall short against the Boston Celtics, leaving their dreams of victory back in Dallas.
The high-flying Boston Celtics are gunning for their 18th championship in North American basketball, claiming victory in the second game of the NBA Finals series. With a nail-biting win over the Dallas Mavericks with Max Kleber from Germany, the home team has put Dallas in a tight spot with a 2-0 lead. The Mavs now have their backs against the wall as they prepare for two home games this Wednesday and Friday.
Despite Doncic's outstanding performance, the Mavericks came up short. The Slovenian sensation racked up a triple-double with 32 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, securing the first triple-double in a final series for the Mavericks.
However, Doncic's teammates couldn't give him the support he needed. A disappointing Kyrie Irving scored 16 points, while Kleber played 16 minutes without a single field goal.
"They've got all the talent"
Tonight at home, the Celtics' standouts were clear. Jrue Holiday lit it up with 26 points and 11 rebounds. While the Mavericks struggled with limited support, the Celtics came out strong. Jaylen Brown contributed 21 points, and Jayson Tatum pitched in 18 points and 12 assists. The Celtics may not have had their best showing, with Tatum sporting a dismal 27% field goal rate.
After the game, Doncic spoke on the balance of the championship-leading Celtics, acknowledging their deep roster, saying, "That's why they're number one in the NBA and have the best record. They've got all the talent."
The Celtics, who dominated the NBA particularly in the 1960s, haven't taken home the title since 2008. The Mavericks on the other hand, enjoyed their only championship win in 2011, led by Dirk Nowitzki.
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