GAME 3 NBA FINALS: Boston Celtics (2-0) vs. Dallas Mavericks (0-2)

[BolsDamols]

if this game does not signal the end of the Hardaway era, i don't know what will.

[BigDirk41]

I really have to say I'm beyond disappointed in Luka. This game really rubbed me the wrong way. He completely failed his team tonight with low IQ plays, lack of effort and not being smart enough to stay in the game when in foul trouble. I agree those calls could go either way, but why even try them? Why try to take a charge past the 3 point line when you have 5 fouls. I really feel like he quit on his team tonight. He'll bounce back and it was a great season, but the all time greats just don't do what he did tonight. It's just disappointing.

[dirkfansince1998]

Most of the guys will be back next year..and they should be.

Lively finally had a strong game and PJ was key in that run.  Gafford didn’t play much but has been ok in this series.  Just a tough matchup for him.

But the roster build is not done.  Some guys may just be here for a short time.  Nmnotnsying they can’t learn from this but they have not been good this series.  They did have good runs leading up to this.

Mavs need to consolidate the trial and error minutes they are getting from THJ/Exum/Hardy into one legit starting caliber player/6th man. That's the easiest way to improve the playoff rotation.

[audiosway]

First of all, that was the worst officiated game I've seen in a while. If I were Nico I would trade Green and any one else on the bench for a player to replace Jones Jr in the starting lineup. 2 way is desperately needed. Let the young guys get experience and grow. (I think I just heard Jaylen Brown get another foul walking down the hallway) They need more fire power. I think this team making the finals was a year ahead of when I expected honestly. Although that doesn't take the disgust out of my mouth for Boston right now.

Great job for the refs. Good to know that Luka can foul out for the first time in his 6 year career in the Finals of all times. That's not suspicious at all.

I think Kidd is definitely the right coach for this team now. If I were Nico I would literally go out and get any and every star ring chaser I could get to sit on the bench. The bench of the Mavs is horrible when it matters most. THJ would be a great trade target in the offseason starting say Saturday.

[Chicagojk]

Luka came up like James Harden. This game will change the narrative on his career. He spent most of his time during the Celtics big 2nd quarter run complaining and not getting back on defense. Played a terrible quarters 2-4.  Quite on his team with stupid, frustration fouls down the stretch.  That was just the worst. And the biggest game of his career. In this instance the criticism he gets will be justified.

Kidd was even worse. I’ve never seen a more idiotically coached game on the finals. If he doesn’t understand who is best 8 are by now for this series, it’s hopeless. He needs to be a culture building figurehead.

I think that is the thing though.  No one stepped up for the moment.  He was trying to find anyone who could score.  All year a lot of guys stepped up.  No one has in the finals.  Need to give the Celtics credit though.  But Kids playing a big rotation was just looking for anyone to join the party.  I would have closed with Exum over Hardaway but old habits die hard

[SleepingHero]

Kyrie was putrid tonight

35 points is....putrid?

What's your definition of amazing?

[ThisIStheYear]

The refs were fine. Luka quite on his team. Kidd coached like an amateur coaching the first game of his career in the first game of a season. Worst game in franchise history.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Everyone thought attacking Horford on P&R was the right call. But the old man came to play. He was great, especially making Kyrie miss a big shot.

[Jakeospikez]

Losing was fine, I just don't get where the confidence came from to play THJ 20 minutes when he can't hit a shot anymore all playoffs. The blocked fast break drive into Derrick White was the most obvious thing seen coming a mile away. Is the goal to tank his value even further? Or maybe it's a strategic move to increase his value to a tanking team. I have no idea how literally anyone else was not in the game over him. Anyway good run, they got much further than was expected and just need some young players to develop some and a small move or 2.

[Chicagojk]

This team has a bright future but the west is filled with bright futures.

Need to fix some things and add some things but we should be in the right track.

Sometimes it is the luck of the draw. jokic doesn’t get any 50 win team in his championship and beats an overmatched Heat team in the finals.

Mavs get 4 50 win teams in their run and oaky the best team in the league in the finals who only have to play their A game in on series

[BolsDamols]

Luka has been bad in this game and defensively in this series, but come on guys, James Harden has not sniffed half the playoff resume that Luka has had. Harden has always been a playoff choker, Luka elevates his game in the playoffs. The Minnesota series happened literally just 2 weeks ago. 

Mavs made great strides in building the team around Luka to compete for the championship. But job is not finished and there are still key pieces missing in the team to truly compete. Team did not even have a proper training camp yet. So big picture, Mavs are close but not there yet.

[SleepingHero]

The refs were fine. Luka quite on his team. Kidd coached like an amateur coaching the first game of his career in the first game of a season. Worst game in franchise history.

This was by far not the worst game in franchise history. The 07 Warriors series and the 06 Phantom Foul bullshit parade was way worse.


This Mavs team showed they could make the finals when no one believed. This entire team sans Kyrie is under 27. We should feel emboldened from this. No shame in losing to the Celtics and if anything we are like one perimeter 2-way player away from being a complete team. 

Finally Luka is anything but a quitter. He is out there with a busted knee, busted ribcage, busted everything and he's still laying it on the line. He's a fucking monster. Did he have a good game by his standard? Absolutely not. But to say he quit on his team is absolute fucking bullshit fake news nonsensical drivel.

[audiosway]

if this game does not signal the end of the Hardaway era, i don't know what will.

I would trade him, Green, Powell, and anyone else it took to get another two way starter that can play in big moments.

[Chicagojk]

Mavs need to consolidate the trial and error minutes they are getting from THJ/Exum/Hardy into one legit starting caliber player/6th man. That's the easiest way to improve the playoff rotation.

I agree.  I think Hardy is that scorer.  He just isn’t quite ready and has t had the reps yet.  

I would like to see a more well rounded wing who could be counted on for 14 points a game.  Nothing special but just one of those guys that makes all the right plays and also scores a little.

We will see if Omax is the real deal eventually but I think There is not enough room for him, green and jones.  Especially when you look at that group you think you need to upgrade one even if omax pans out.

Don’t dump Maxi but Mavs need to be searching for his replacement.

[dirkfansince1998]

I really have to say I'm beyond disappointed in Luka. This game really rubbed me the wrong way. He completely failed his team tonight with low IQ plays, lack of effort and not being smart enough to stay in the game when in foul trouble. I agree those calls could go either way, but why even try them? Why try to take a charge past the 3 point line when you have 5 fouls. I really feel like he quit on his team tonight. He'll bounce back and it was a great season, but the all time great just don't do what he did tonight. It's just disappointing.

Issue isn't the performance today. He is running on painkillers and pre game injections. At some point the body just breaks down. Resulting in a frustrated Luka that takes himself out of the game.
Real isse is the same stuff that we discuss every offseason. Conditioning/recovery/taking care of his body.

[BolsDamols]

Losing was fine, I just don't get where the confidence came from to play THJ 20 minutes when he can't hit a shot anymore all playoffs. The blocked fast break drive into Derrick White was the most obvious thing seen coming a mile away. Is the goal to tank his value even further? Or maybe it's a strategic move to increase his value to a tanking team. I have no idea how literally anyone else was not in the game over him. Anyway good run, they got much further than was expected and just need some young players to develop some and a small move or 2.

its literally his surname I think. In Kidd's head, he is probably saying lets put Hardaway's son in there he might give us something.

Don't know why Exum did not get more minutes after that dunk he made on Tatum

[BolsDamols]

Everyone thought attacking Horford on P&R was the right call. But the old man came to play. He was great, especially making Kyrie miss a big shot.

contested a couple of Luka's stepback threes as well as anyone - Rudy Gobert has to be taking notes.

[Chicagojk]

Man, I guess style really makes fights. The Mavs felt like they had the answers. KY and Luka score. Surround them with youth and athleticism and they score just enough. Play tough and muck the game up and take it home late.

It just hasn't worked in the finals. And the Celtics are doing everything a little better than Dallas.

[audiosway]

The refs were fine. Luka quite on his team. Kidd coached like an amateur coaching the first game of his career in the first game of a season. Worst game in franchise history.

Kidd was fine, Boston is just beyond loaded. Then, you have the 3rd string center that shoots 28% from 3 hitting his first 3 of the playoffs tells you all that you need to know. All of the balls are bouncing Boston's way, they are loaded, they could put a janitor out there at this point and win 1 on 5. It is what it is.

Just give Boston their banner and get to the business of getting better.

[BigDirk41]

Issue isn't the performance today. He is running on painkillers and pre game injections. At some point the body just breaks down. Resulting in a frustrated Luka that takes himself out of the game.
Real isse is the same stuff that we discuss every offseason. Conditioning/recovery/taking care of his body.

I have a feeling he will get that under control this off-season if he's truly going to be an all time great like we all believe. Getting swept or 4-1 in the finals and all the criticism that is going to come his way should light a fire under him. If he would treat his body like MJ, Kobe or LeBron, he'll be unstoppable. Being pudgy is hard on his body.