GAME 5 NBA FINALS: DALLAS MAVERICKS (1-4) vs BOSTON CELTICS (4-1)

[BigDirk41]

Luka and Kyrie earned all the criticism they are going to get after this game. They flat out sucked tonight.

[Mavs2021]

Maxi too scared to put up an wide open lay-up. Gues that´s too much to ask for $11M.

[Chicagojk]

Mavs had a slight chance to get it manageable. Luka and Kyrie were not good enough.

[Chicagojk]

My big need is a backup scoring PF type. I just can’t count on Maxi. Need to upgrade that spot. Don’t dump him but keep him as a wild card.

[GATA]

Let’s not forget Luka is playing through 2 or 3 big injuries. Kyrie is completely healthy, and has been the worst player on the floor the entire series

[bubbler86]

Luka watched Brown's off shot turn into another celts rebound. Bring in some kids and let's have some hustle for this last quarter.

[ThisIStheYear]

Poor rebounding, turnovers, missed free throws, lackluster play from stars. Not the formula for a winning team or player. Boston just played with maturity, poise, and purpose.

[Chicagojk]

Luka offense got us this far. Still think it is a to. To ask him to carry this burden through a whole playoff series. Only was out like a minute tonight. He is exhausted. Need a way to take some off him. Will he allow that?

[Scott41theMavs]

So, I'm wondering if it's 1) Luka knew that Kai was going to claim his entitlement to have Beantownphobia and never play a decent game there the rest of his career, and so he gave up, or 2) the past Mav whom Luka most resembles is Slammin' Sammy Dalambert.

[BolsDamols]

Tatum is such a crappy first option..but the whole Boston team are good to above average scorers.

[Chicagojk]

Just need more shooting moving forward. Tough balance though. Because the guys who are not goood shooters are good defenders. Just need guys who can consistently make open shots. Hope some of our guys get better the longer they sre here

[GATA]

Why is Green not on the floor?

[Mavs2021]

Not an excuse. There are others teams with worse ballhandlers that are getting more production out of their role guys. But it is difficult when the only two available sets are spain pick and roll and double drag screens. Basically no off ball movement.
Just need to look at the way the Pacers scored against the Celtics. I think Exum, PJ and Green could do the same kind of stuff that Nembhard, Nesmith and Sheppard did.

I don´t. They are way too indecisive and not good enough shooters in motion. They only make set shots. You basically ask for more THJ under these circumstances. Though in fairness some questions have to be asked how Haliburton/Nembhard shoot far above 50/40/80, while Doncic/Irving shoot a combined 45/23/65-ish for the whole finals. Their numbers have been staggeringly awful.

[Jym]

well Kyrie gets the Georgie for this series

[Chicagojk]

Just disappointing after a fabulous season that we leave it with a stinker by Luka and Kyrie.

Boston just better

[BolsDamols]

Mavs have let Tim Legler down so bad

[SleepingHero]

Just disappointing after a fabulous season that we leave it with a stinker by Luka and Kyrie.

Boston just better

They are. And there is no shame in that. They are one of the most talented teams of all time. The Mavs were one 2-way starter level wing away from being favored in this. 

Their bench just didn't have it either. 

THJ was horrible. I made a comment back in January that the Mavs were emphatically better off if THJ disappeared. And that was largely true. But it's apparent that this team needs some sort of steadying offensive presence off the bench. THJ isn't that. Maxi/Green/Exum are too situational although very valuable. 

I for one am amazed the team stuck together and got this far. I know we're disappointed, but I'm really emboldened that this team is really just 1 and a half guys away from being a title favorite.

[ThisIStheYear]

Nice season for the Mavs. But nothing commendable at all in this series. The Celtics just have more of a champion mentality. They played with passion and teamwork the entire time. The Mavs lacked maturity and just didn’t take care of the little things. They’ll need a third star. I thought Luka was good enough to lead a two star team. I was wrong. He’ll need a big 3.

[Mavs2021]

Just disappointing after a fabulous season that we leave it with a stinker by Luka and Kyrie.

Boston just better

They stunk for the whole finals. Outside of Luka´s 2pt shooting everything else has been awful. Kyrie established early on that he does not have it against Boston and that probably zapped the little energy out of Luka, that he had left.

[Chicagojk]

Seems like Whirs hits big shots all aeries