6 Mistakes that Prevented the Dallas Mavericks from Winning the Finals…
With the conclusion of the 2023-24 NBA season on Monday night, the Dallas Mavericks fell short of winning their second NBA championship, losing to the Boston Celtics in the Finals. Despite this, the Mavericks had a remarkable season, emerging as one of the most unexpected Western Conference Champions in recent memory.
Fans will remember their surprising series wins over the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder and the heavily favored Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals. The Mavericks demonstrated that they were the ultimate underdogs and established themselves as future contenders.
Six Mistakes that Cost the Mavericks the Finals
From Luka Doncic’s standout performance against the Timberwolves to the Mavericks’ dominant Game 4 win in the NBA Finals, this season will be memorable for Mavs fans. However, several critical mistakes cost them the championship. The Celtics proved their greatness, but the Mavericks had opportunities to even the series. Here are six reasons why Dallas couldn’t complete the reverse sweep against Boston, despite their strong Game 4 performance.
1. Perimeter Defense Exposed
In Game 1, the Mavericks struggled with perimeter defense, allowing former teammate Kristaps Porzingis and players like Sam Houser and Derrick White to score freely from behind the arc. Although Boston didn’t maintain their Game 1 three-point shooting percentage, they continued to get open looks with their versatile five-out offense. Dallas, which had defended the three-ball well up until that point, found the Celtics too talented to handle. The Mavericks’ inability to defend the perimeter consistently allowed Boston to exploit this weakness.
2. Tim Hardaway Jr.’s Playoff Struggles
Tim Hardaway Jr. had been struggling since the beginning of the year and suffered a severe ankle injury in the first round against the LA Clippers. This injury disrupted any momentum he had, and he failed to perform in the playoffs. Hardaway Jr., often seen as the Mavericks’ third offensive option, couldn’t contribute effectively, leaving Dallas without enough offensive versatility to compete with the Celtics. His poor performance raises questions about his future with the team.
3. Lack of a Third Shot Creator
The Mavericks’ inability to score consistently was a major issue, highlighted by their failure to score over 100 points in four of the five Finals games. Boston’s elite defense and Dallas’ lack of a reliable third scorer left too much pressure on their star players. Without a consistent third shot creator, the Mavericks couldn’t match the Celtics’ offensive output. The team may need to seek a third scorer in the offseason.
4. Jason Kidd’s Lack of In-Game Adjustments
Jason Kidd’s strategic brilliance got the Mavericks far, but his in-game adjustments during the Finals were lacking. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla outcoached Kidd by sticking to a simple yet effective game plan. Kidd’s decision to stick with Hardaway Jr. despite his struggles was particularly criticized. Fans had called for more playing time for Jaden Hardy and Dante Exum, but Kidd’s reluctance to adjust proved costly.
5. Failure to Secure Defensive Rebounds
The Mavericks’ inability to secure defensive rebounds was a recurring issue, exacerbated against the Celtics. Despite acquiring Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford to bolster their rebounding, the Mavericks were outclassed by Boston in this area. The Celtics’ guards were able to penetrate the paint and get timely rebounds, which contributed to Dallas’ downfall. Improving their rebounding efforts will be a key focus for the Mavericks in the offseason.
6. Star Players’ Defensive Shortcomings
Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving failed to make a significant defensive impact, except in Game 4. Both players had improved their defense during the regular season and playoffs, but the Celtics’ versatile offense exposed their weaknesses. Doncic struggled defensively against Boston, and Irving’s lack of size made him a liability when switched onto bigger players. Improving their defensive efforts will be crucial for Doncic and Irving moving forward.
Looking Ahead
Although the Mavericks fell short of their championship goal, this season marked a significant step forward. They will look to leverage their assets and aim to win the Western Conference again, giving themselves another shot at the NBA title. Stay tuned for offseason updates on Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and the Dallas Mavericks.
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