![Luka DOncic]()
The NBA Finals have been kind of a dud so far. Aided in part by maybe the easiest run through the Eastern Conference in playoff history, the Boston Celtics look like the fresher, sharper, more complete team. Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks have squandered a couple gutsy, excellent performances from
superstar Luka Doncic, with Kyrie Irving in particular failing to answer the bell.
Certain numbers definitely support that overarching narrative.
https://twitter.com/statmuse/status/1799993980035219913
https://twitter.com/statmuse/status/1799994624712286588
https://twitter.com/bostonsportsinf/status/1799991951984328841
Really, even if the Celtics had a tougher road to the Finals, I'm not sure the Mavs could've pulled an upset in Boston in Games 1 or 2. That's how outmatched Dallas has looked thus far. Now all the pressure is on the Mavs to hold court at home, although right now, it looks more likely than not that they'll be swept.
In the event that this does indeed turn out to be one of the most lacking in suspense NBA Finals of all-time, at least us basketball stans have some good reactions to carry us through the anticlimactic conclusion to the postseason.
https://twitter.com/HaterReport_/status/1799991452920877471
https://twitter.com/ringernba/status/1799994370206371942
https://twitter.com/ayroned/status/1799983185889268061
https://twitter.com/vidsthatgohard/status/1799994539697959114
https://twitter.com/Mavs_FFL/status/1799982180065538137
https://twitter.com/iKlayThompson/status/1799993947416346892
https://twitter.com/NBAMemes/status/1799984932254814677
https://twitter.com/BenRogers/status/1799968767038116073
https://twitter.com/big_business_/status/1799978418496253974
The prevailing sentiment around NBA Twitter right now is obviously that Luka — fresh off a 32-point triple-double — is more than doing his part. It has to be all the more low-key heartbreaking for Luka to not get more support, given that he's playing through a sprained knee, bum ankle and back contusion.
https://twitter.com/MikeLeslieWFAA/status/1799954576403235019
https://twitter.com/ESPNNBA/status/1800012923051319327
Sunday's 105-98 score didn't feel that close, especially since supposed Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum continues to struggle in the series, making just 31.6% of his shots. To be fair, Tatum is helping a lot with Boston's defensive effort and has been an effective distributor. He's still playing way better overall than Kyrie, who's bricked all eight of his 3-point attempts and is shooting only 35.1% from the floor overall.
It might be as simple as Kyrie going nuclear like he did in three 30-point games during the Western Conference Finals. If he can't get back to that form, this matchup against Boston is going to be over in five games at best. This is a far cry from the Kyrie who averaged over 27 per game in the 2016 NBA Finals, when he and LeBron rallied the Cavs from a 3-1 deficit to stun the Warriors. You have to wonder if he still has that in the bag...
https://twitter.com/mldiffley/status/1799995827643166993
At this rate, Kyrie needs to be historically great again for the Mavs to rally. They lost Game 1 in the first two rounds of this year's playoffs, but rallied to win Game 2 both times. Not against the Celtics. Here's hoping Luka gets the help he needs and that his body holds up through the whole series — if only for the sake of a passably entertaining grand finale to the NBA season.
