Luka Doncic’s defense has been a target of the superstar’s critics, especially during the 2024 NBA Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and the Boston Celtics. The Mavs have survived that underwhelming part of Doncic’s game over the first three rounds of this year’s NBA Playoffs, but the Celtics have surely done a fantastic job of taking advantage of that weak point in Dallas’ defense.
Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic’s defense has been exposed badly by the Celtics in the 2024 NBA Finals
According to Second Spectrum, Doncic has allowed the three highest blow-by percentages on drives in a playoff series in the past 10 years. In the first round, the LA Clippers drove past him 65.2% of the time. In the second round, the Oklahoma City Thunder blew past him on defense 59% of the time. Against the Celtics, that percentage has ballooned to 67.7%.
Doncic has been under fire of late. In the Mavericks’ 106-99 home loss in Game 4 to the Celtics, Doncic fouled out with over four minutes left in the fourth quarter.
The Slovenian superstar has been repeatedly targeted by the Celtics when they’re on the attack, often looking to draw him in pick-and-rolls. It is also worth noting that Doncic is not 100 percent healthy, as he’s braving a rib injury, but that doesn’t — and should not — take away much from the Celtics’ excellent execution throughout the series which could end this Friday night in Dallas.
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