As the start of the 2024 NBA Finals draws near, with the first game set for Thursday, June 6 at 8:30 pm ET, the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks have their hands full with preparation.
When discussing the Mavericks’ star duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla was about as blunt as possible. In a longer, detailed answer related to the topic of Doncic and/or Irving scoring on good defensive possessions by Boston, Mazzulla said the Celtics know both of those players are going to score even in tough situations.
“The whole thing, this series is going to be about ‘stopping those two guys,’ there is no stopping them. There’s defending them at a high level and there’s playing a complete game because every part of the game is connected,” Mazzulla said of Doncic and Irving.
“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
He went on to note that the Mavericks have played in nine close games and the Celtics in four, citing a belief that there will be numerous close games.
It’s a good mindset from Mazzulla and highlights how impressive the Mavericks as a whole, and specifically Dončić and Irving, have been this season. If both teams play to their potential, this has the makings of one of the best series of the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
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