Boston Celtics he won Game 3 of the NBA Finals in dallasstretched their lead in the series to 3 to 0 and was just one win away from achieving a new ring after 16 years. Luka Doncicthe great figure of the Mavericks He still hasn’t found his best version and his frustration was reflected in his constant protests to the referees inside the court and then in the post-match press conference.
“We couldn’t play physically. I don’t want to say anything, but six fouls in the NBA Finals, come on man, you’re better than this“claimed the Slovenian outraged by his expulsion in a key moment of the fourth quarter when the Mavericks were excited about a epic comeback after being 21 points down on the scoreboard.
“We had a good opportunity, we were close, but we couldn’t. I would have liked to be there“said the Slovenian, who finished with 27 pointssix rebounds and six assists.
Doncic is showing a lower level in these Finals than what he did all season and placed him among the great candidates for the MVP. He arrives physically very worn out and receives a lot of criticism for his little commitment when defending and its constant protests towards the referees that distract him during games.
Even so, Luka maintains his winning mentality and does not give up on the series despite consecutive losses that left Boston just one win away from the title. “The first person to reach four wins. and you have to be positive. It’s not over until it’s over. We win together and we lose together. We have to prepare, rest tomorrow and go for the fourth game,” concluded the Slovenian.
Luka Doncic disputes the ball with Jaylen Brown in the NBA Finals.
Tony Gutierrez / Ap-LaPresse
NBA Finals 2024: Irving defends Doncic after his expulsion
Kyrie Irvingof the Dallas Mavericksassured that it would be “easy to point the finger” against Luka Doncicafter the Slovenian finished expelled during the Game 3 of the NBA Finalslost before the Boston Celticsfor committing six fouls, but stressed that the only thing you have to do is give him “a hug.”
“You just have to let it breathe, let the human emotions come out, give it a hug. That’s all. It’s easy to point the finger at Doncic and saying ‘you could do better,’ that’s easy, I think he knows that,” Irving said in the postgame press conference.
“I reiterate that I am here to protect himWe are here to protect you. “It’s a tough game, and it was a tough call (on the sixth foul),” he continued.
On the same note, the Mavericks coach Jason Kidd He also referred to the party of Luka Doncic and defended the Slovenian: “He has to be able to defend himself and he has to understand that we are here to protect and help you if they overcome it,” declared the coach in the press conference after the game.
And I add: “Bear the brunt of the attack, is in every pick-and-roll. He has to be able to play a game where he occasionally rests in attack and lets the others guide the attack.”
