Boston Celtics-Dallas Mavericks: Who do Luka Doncic & Kyrie Irving guard?
Digest
This episode of the Lockdown Celtics podcast features a crossover with Nick Angstead from the Lockdown Mavs podcast. They discuss the upcoming NBA Finals, focusing on the defensive matchups between the two teams. John Corralis, host of the Lockdown Celtics podcast, asks Nick about how the Mavs will defend Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, specifically who Luka Doncic will guard. Nick explains that the Mavs will likely use a rotating scheme where Luka guards everyone at some point, but will probably start on Derrick White or Drew Holiday. They also discuss how the Celtics will defend Luka and Kyrie, with John proposing a one-on-one strategy for Kyrie to force him into scoring rather than facilitating. Nick agrees that this could be a good strategy, but worries that Luka's ability to navigate screens and keep defenders on his hip could make it difficult to execute. They also discuss the importance of Derek Lively II for the Mavs, and how his ability to defend in space and switch could be crucial against the Celtics' five-out offense. The episode concludes with predictions for the series, with John predicting a Celtics win in six games and Nick predicting a Mavs win in six games.
Outlines
Introduction
This Chapter introduces the Lockdown Celtics Podcast and its host, John Corralis, who is joined by Nick Angstead from the Lockdown Mavs Podcast for a crossover episode previewing the NBA Finals.
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Defensive Matchups
This Chapter delves into the key defensive matchups for the NBA Finals. John asks Nick about how the Mavs will defend Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, specifically who Luka Doncic will guard. Nick explains that the Mavs will likely use a rotating scheme where Luka guards everyone at some point, but will probably start on Derrick White or Drew Holiday.
Mavs' Defensive Scheme
This Chapter focuses on the Mavs' defensive scheme and how they will defend the Celtics' five-out offense. Nick explains that the Mavs will need to be connected and know where to rotate to prevent the Celtics from getting open shots.
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Defending Luka and Kyrie
This Chapter continues the discussion on defensive matchups, with John outlining his plan to defend Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. He proposes a one-on-one strategy for Kyrie to force him into scoring rather than facilitating. Nick agrees that this could be a good strategy, but worries that Luka's ability to navigate screens and keep defenders on his hip could make it difficult to execute.
Keywords
Luka Doncic
Luka Doncic is a Slovenian professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is widely considered one of the best players in the NBA, known for his exceptional scoring, passing, and playmaking abilities. He has been selected to five NBA All-Star teams and has won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award and the NBA scoring title. He is also a two-time All-NBA First Team selection and a two-time All-NBA Second Team selection. Doncic is known for his unique style of play, which combines a high level of skill with a physical and aggressive approach. He is a dominant force on the court and is a key player for the Mavericks' success.
Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving is an American professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is known for his exceptional ball-handling skills, scoring ability, and clutch play. Irving has been selected to eight NBA All-Star teams and has won the NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016. He is also a four-time All-NBA selection and a two-time NBA All-Star Game MVP. Irving is known for his unique style of play, which combines a high level of skill with a creative and unpredictable approach. He is a dangerous offensive weapon and is a key player for the Mavericks' success.
Jayson Tatum
Jayson Tatum is an American professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is widely considered one of the best players in the NBA, known for his exceptional scoring ability, versatility, and playmaking skills. He has been selected to five NBA All-Star teams and has won the NBA All-Star Game MVP award. He is also a two-time All-NBA First Team selection and a two-time All-NBA Second Team selection. Tatum is known for his smooth and efficient style of play, which combines a high level of skill with a physical and aggressive approach. He is a dominant force on the court and is a key player for the Celtics' success.
Jaylen Brown
Jaylen Brown is an American professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is known for his athleticism, scoring ability, and defensive prowess. Brown has been selected to four NBA All-Star teams and has won the NBA All-Star Game MVP award. He is also a two-time All-NBA selection. Brown is known for his explosive and powerful style of play, which combines a high level of skill with a physical and aggressive approach. He is a key player for the Celtics' success.
Derek Lively II
Derek Lively II is an American professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was selected by the Mavericks with the 12th overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft. Lively is a young and promising center known for his size, athleticism, and defensive potential. He is still developing his offensive game, but he has shown flashes of brilliance in his rookie season. Lively is a key player for the Mavericks' future and could play a significant role in their success in the NBA Finals.
NBA Finals
The NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association (NBA). It is the culmination of the NBA playoffs, which features the top eight teams from each conference. The Finals is a best-of-seven series, with the first team to win four games being crowned the NBA champion. The NBA Finals is one of the most prestigious and watched sporting events in the world, attracting millions of viewers worldwide.
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are an American professional basketball team based in Dallas, Texas. They compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Western Conference Southwest Division. The Mavericks were founded in 1980 and have won one NBA championship, in 2011. They are known for their high-scoring offense and their passionate fan base. The Mavericks have a long history of success in the NBA, with several playoff appearances and a strong tradition of developing young talent.
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are an American professional basketball team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Atlantic Division. The Celtics were founded in 1946 and have won 17 NBA championships, the most in NBA history. They are known for their rich history, their passionate fan base, and their commitment to winning. The Celtics have a long tradition of success in the NBA, with numerous playoff appearances and a strong tradition of developing young talent.
Q&A
How will the Mavs defend Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown?
The Mavs will likely use a rotating scheme where Luka Doncic guards everyone at some point, but will probably start on Derrick White or Drew Holiday.
How will the Celtics defend Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving?
John proposes a one-on-one strategy for Kyrie to force him into scoring rather than facilitating. Nick agrees that this could be a good strategy, but worries that Luka's ability to navigate screens and keep defenders on his hip could make it difficult to execute.
How important is Derek Lively II for the Mavs in this series?
Lively's ability to defend in space and switch could be crucial against the Celtics' five-out offense. He could be a key factor in the Mavs' success.
What are the magic numbers for the series?
John believes the Celtics need to score 110 points or more and hold the Mavs to under 110 points to win the series.
Who will be favored in each game of the series?
The Celtics are currently favored in game one, and Nick believes they will likely remain the favorites throughout the series unless the Mavs make a significant comeback.
What are your predictions for the series?
John predicts a Celtics win in six games, while Nick predicts a Mavs win in six games.
What are the biggest challenges for the Mavs in this series?
The Mavs will need to find a way to defend the Celtics' five-out offense and prevent them from getting open shots. They will also need to be able to handle the Celtics' intensity and prevent Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving from going off.
What are the biggest challenges for the Celtics in this series?
The Celtics will need to be able to exploit the Mavs' weaknesses on defense and prevent Luka Doncic from dominating the game. They will also need to be able to handle the Mavs' size and athleticism.
Show Notes
Part two of our crossover preview between Locked On Mavericks and Locked On Celtics focuses on Mavs questions, most importantly: Who do Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving defend? John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal believes there's no good answers there, which gives the Celtics a significant advantage. Also, how does Nick Angstadt feel about Dereck Lively, a rookie, being such a key figure in this series? Can the Mavs bigs be everywhere they need to be?
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