SAN FRANCISCO — Head coach Jason Kidd accused the Dallas Mavericks of a 19-point lead in Friday’s 126-117 loss to the Golden State Warriors and criticized his team for relying too much on 3-pointers. Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals.
According to research by ESPN Stats & Information, the Mavericks attempted 21 of 45 3-pointers in the game, tying the third most 3-pointers in a playoff loss in NBA history. But Kidd specifically cited Dallas’ shot selection in the third quarter, when the Mavericks had just 13 points and 2-of-13 from 3-point range, as a major concern.
“When you’re 2-for-13 and relying on 3-pointers, you can die on 3-pointers,” Kidd said after the Warriors took a 2-0 series lead. “And we made so many threes in the third quarter and only made two.”
The Mavs made it to the Western Conference Finals in large part because of their prolific 3-point shooting.They thrive in the company of superstar guards Luka Doncic Plan five-out offense, with catch-and-shoot reserves Maxi Kleber Playing time much more than starting Dwight Powell Played the center position throughout the playoffs. Dallas led the league in 3-point percentage (15.6 per game) and 3-point attempts (41.1) in those playoffs, with a 37.9 percent percentage.
In their first loss to the Warriors, the Mavericks went 11-for-48 from 3-point range, but Kidd encouraged his team to keep an open mind that night. The Mavericks took a huge lead with a red-hot shot Friday night at the Chase Center as they shot 15 of 27 from 3-point range in the first half. Then it went well in the third quarter, when the Warriors outscored the Mavericks 25-13.
“I mean, we look good,” the Mavs guard said Jaylen Brunson, he scored 31 points on 11-of-19 shooting, including 5-of-7 from 3-point range. “When we’re open, we shoot. We’ve got a lot of guys that can shoot, knock down shots. So I think as long as we’re open and shoot right, make extra passes, do what we do, we’re going to be good at every shot. Individuals have confidence and I have confidence in everyone to knock it down.”
But Kidd chose not to call a timeout when the Warriors started their offense in the third quarter, and the Mavericks needed to be more aggressive off the dribble when their jumper stopped. Dallas went 3 for 6 on 2-point attempts in the third quarter, and the Mavericks attempted just 4 free throws despite the bonus in the final 6 minutes.
“If you let [3s], that’s fine, but you have to understand that if you miss four in a row, you can’t take the fifth,” Kidd said. “You have to make it. It just puts too much pressure on yourself and your team because if you don’t stop at the other end, it can turn into a blowout. “
The Warriors actually still trailed by two points at the end of the third quarter.Golden State didn’t take first lead of game until reserve forward little otto porter.’s 3-pointer opened the fourth quarter. Dam broke Dallas’ defense in the fourth quarter when the Warriors scored 43 points on 15-of-19 shooting.
“When we attack, we defend, and when we can’t score, we don’t defend,” Kidd said. “It’s something we have to get better at this time of year.”
Golden State Warriors, with six teams scoring in double figures Stephen Curry32 points to dominate Dallas in paint scoring 62-30. Doncic had 42 points and 8 assists, making 12 of 23 shots and 5 of 10 three-pointers.
It was the seventh time in his career that the 23-year-old scored 40 points in the playoffs, tying Dirk Nowitzki for the most points in franchise history. But when Doncic scored over 40 points, the Mavericks were 2-5.
Doncic, as he did after losing to the Phoenix Suns in the previous series, thinks the Mavericks made a mistake because he doesn’t drive as often.
“We didn’t attack the paint too much,” Doncic said. “But we have to attack the inside more like they do. They attack the inside a lot. They have two of the best shooters in the world and they still attack the inside. So I think we have to rely less on the three.”
