Celtics win Doncic-Tatum matchups in Game 2

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Luka Doncic led all scorers with 32 factors in Sport 2 of the NBA Finals on Sunday, scoring way more effectively than he did three nights earlier. Jayson Tatum, in the meantime shot simply 6-for-22 and is now 12-for-38 (32%) within the sequence.

However there was loads of Doncic vs. Tatum on each ends of the ground in Sport 2, and general, the Boston Celtics had the benefit in these conditions, one purpose they’ve a 2-0 lead because the sequence heads to Dallas for Sport 3 on Wednesday (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC).

One participant’s numbers don’t matter a lot when the group works collectively to supply good photographs. That’s what’s occurring on the Celtics’ finish of the ground, the place there’s been a bit extra ball motion (300 passes per 24 minutes of possession) than there was via the primary three rounds of the playoffs (293 per 100). On the opposite finish, the Mavs have gone from 293 passes per 24 minutes of possession via the primary three rounds to simply 260 per 24 within the Finals.

Listed here are some extra numbers and a few movie on how the Celtics received the Doncic-Tatum matchups in Sport 2.

1. Tatum switches, retains Doncic in test

Quantity to know: Tatum was the screener’s defender on 11 ball screens for Doncic in Sport 2, up from simply 4 in Sport 1.

With Tatum primarily guarding the opposing bigs, Dallas used their forwards as screeners in Sport 1, concentrating on Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis. They had been the screener’s defender on 26 of the 38 ball-screens set for Doncic.

If the bigs aren’t setting screens, they’re some place else on the ground and the Mavs’ spacing round Doncic’s assaults might be compromised. With Sport 1 being one of many Mavs’ worst offensive performances of the season, they switched issues up in Sport 2, setting extra screens with the bigs, which put Tatum within the motion much more.

Ball screens for Luka Doncic, Finals

through Second Spectrum monitoring

Tatum principally switched these screens, and the Mavs scored simply 4 whole factors on 10 probabilities through which a ball display screen for Doncic was set by the man Tatum was defending. All 4 of these factors — a Doncic floater over Tatum and a tricky spin-back fadeaway — got here within the first quarter, when Doncic additionally went 0-for-2 on the line after beating Tatum off the dribble and drawing a foul.

The Doncic-Tatum actions bore no fruit after that, despite the fact that, on a few events, the Mavs adopted it with one other display screen by the man Porzingis was defending. The Celtics weren’t giving up that change, and Tatum was in a position to get a steal by trailing the display screen with energetic arms:

After one other (sloppy) turnover three possessions later, the Mavs didn’t run any Doncic-Tatum actions within the ultimate 16 minutes of Sport 2.

2. Doncic’s protection below the highlight

Quantity to know: In 88 video games (common season plus playoffs) earlier than the Finals, Tatum’s excessive for drives was 17. He had 18 drives in Sport 1 and a career-high 29 drives in Sport 2.

This sequence has principally been concerning the finish of the ground the place the Mavs have scored only a level per possession, their second-worst two-game stretch of offense this season. The one video games through which they scored much less effectively had been the final two video games of the common season, when Doncic and Kyrie Irving didn’t play.

However the Celtics wouldn’t be two video games from a championship in the event that they weren’t additionally having some success offensively. And loads of that success has include attacking Doncic.

Late within the second quarter, there was a four-possession sequence through which the Celtics scored 10 factors, all by attacking Doncic. It turned a tie rating right into a five-point lead and allowed them to enter halftime with a bonus.

First, Vacation (being guarded by Doncic) faked a display screen for Tatum, flared to the left facet of the ground and drove by Doncic earlier than he may get well:

On the following possession, Vacation set an actual display screen for Tatum. Doncic switched it and bought crossed over as Tatum bought to the basket for an and-1.

Then, Vacation set a display screen for Jaylen Brown. Doncic switched it and dedicated a foul, placing Brown on the road.

On the fourth journey, Doncic needed to decide up Brown in transition. Brown spun previous him and drew assist, and the Celtics ultimately bought a wide-open nook 3 for Vacation:

4 possessions. 4 actions concentrating on Doncic. 10 factors.

Doncic stood up defensively on a number of possessions down the stretch, deflecting a Brown move (after getting beat again door), knocking the ball away from him on the following possession, and staying in entrance of Tatum simply sufficient to permit a Derrick Jones Jr. block. Nevertheless it was too little, too late in Sport 2, and he’ll must be extra constant sooner or later.

3. Tatum the creator

Quantity to know: Tatum assisted on 27 of his teammates’ factors, tied for his fourth-most factors assisted in 624 profession video games. He’s assisted on no less than 27 of his teammates’ factors six occasions in his profession, with 5 of these six video games coming within the playoffs.

Tatum’s assists didn’t simply come through these 29 drives. He additionally bought off the ball rapidly when he drew a second defender and had a pair of assists when he was double-teamed within the put up:

Whereas Tatum hasn’t shot nicely within the first two video games, he most likely leads the Finals in creating benefits, both drawing two to the ball or driving by his defender in 1-on-1 conditions. And he’s trusted his teammates, who’ve made photographs or performs.

On protection, the Celtics confirmed extra assistance on Doncic in Sport 2. However the gamers they left open — Jones, Josh Inexperienced and Maxi Kleber — didn’t make them pay.

If that doesn’t change in Dallas, this will likely be a brief sequence.

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John Schuhmann is a senior stats analyst for NBA.com. You may e-mail him right here, discover his archive right here and follow him on X.

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