As Dallas Mavericks seek improvement in NBA Finals Game 2, Boston Celtics mindful of ‘wedge’ tactic
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Boston Celtics stars Jaylen Brown (left) and Jayson Tatum during Game 3 against the Indiana Pacers on May 25.
PHOTO: AFP
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BOSTON – Boston Celtics stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are not letting Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd create a rift between them ahead of Game 2 of the National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals on June 9 (June 10, Singapore time).
Kidd on June 8 referred to Brown as Boston’s best player. Whether he truly meant it or was simply trying to play mind games with the Celtics remains a mystery, but the comment did not elicit a reaction from Tatum or Brown.
“We understand that people try to drive a wedge in between us,” Tatum said. “Guess it’s a smart thing to do – or try to do.
“But we’ve been in this position for many years of guys trying to divide us and say that one of us should be traded or one’s better than the other. So it’s not our first time at the rodeo.”
Brown added: “At this point, it’s whatever it takes to win and we can’t let any outside interpretations try to get in between us.”
Boston veteran Al Horford thought Kidd’s intentions were pretty clear.
“J-Kidd, man. I see what he’s doing,” the 38-year-old said. “Jaylen Brown is an unbelievable player... and very special for us.”
It will take a lot more than psychological warfare to slow down the Celtics if they manage to replicate their Game 1 performance. Boston cruised to a 107-89 victory on June 6, leading by as many as 29.
Brown finished with a team-high 22 points for the Celtics, while Kristaps Porzingis returned from a 10-game absence due to a calf strain to pour in 20 points in 21 minutes off the bench. Tatum finished with 16 points, 11 rebounds and five assists.
Luka Doncic went for 30 points and 10 boards for Dallas, but Kyrie Irving was held to just 12 points on six-of-19 shooting. Irving missed all five of his three-point attempts and committed three turnovers while being taunted by Boston fans all night.
Irving has lost his past 11 games against his former team, a losing streak that he is confident he can shed on June 9.
“Just got to calm our nerves... and also just be aware of the environment that we’re in,” he said. “It’s going to be highly intense... It’s going to be very physical. Some things are going to be called, some things aren’t.
“So I think we got all that experience in Game 1, and we’re looking forward to the challenge in Game 2 to playing better, and being who we have been since post-All-Star break.”
Most of the Mavericks’ struggles stemmed from a lack of ball movement, as Dallas finished with only nine assists – the fewest by any team in a game this season. Kidd is hoping for a more fluid performance in Game 2.
“I thought we were too much one-on-one. We’ve got to move bodies. We’ve got to move the ball. Multiple guys got to touch the ball,” Kidd said.
“We were just too stagnant, and that’s not the way we play. So, we’ve got to be better (on June 9).” REUTERS, AFP
