Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla offered a pragmatic approach to containing the offensive juggernaut of Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic as his team prepares to face the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals.
“This series is going to be about stopping those two guys. There is no stopping them. They’re defending them at a high level, and they’re playing a complete game because every part of the game is connected. And so they’ve played nine close games, we’ve played four. There’s going to be close games,”
“There is no ‘stopping’ them. There is defending them at a high level, and there’s playing a complete game because every part of the game is connected.”
– Coach Mazzulla breaks down the mental test of guarding Kyrie and Luka pic.twitter.com/k08QvaocHl
— NBA (@NBA) June 1, 2024
Instead of aiming for a complete shutdown, Coach Mazzulla is emphasizing “defending them at a high level.” This likely translates to a strategy focused on containing their scoring outbursts while limiting their efficiency and playmaking opportunities.
Mazzulla went on to highlight the importance of “playing a complete game.” This suggests a focus on shoring up other areas, like transition defense and rebounding, to prevent the Mavericks from capitalizing on any weaknesses.
The Celtics boast a talented defensive unit. Their ability to disrupt passing lanes, contest shots, and limit easy baskets will be crucial in slowing down the high-powered Mavericks offense.
While Irving and Doncic will undoubtedly get theirs, the Celtics hope to make them work for every point and limit their impact on the rest of the Dallas roster. By focusing on a team-oriented defensive approach and executing a complete game plan, the Celtics believe they can give themselves a fighting chance against the NBA’s most potent offensive duo.
