5 Ways the Mavericks can turn the tide of NBA Finals against Celtics

2. Limit Celtics' 3-pointers

In Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals, the Dallas Mavericks were plagued by a slow start. The Boston Celtics couldn't miss from downtown, and they got out to a 37-20 lead at the end of the first quarter. Dallas played them fairly even for the rest of the game, but Boston's shooting was much better than Dallas' in that game.

Boston shot 16-42 from downtown in Game 1 while Dallas shot a poor 7-27. Every player in the Celtics' starting lineup knocked down two threes, and when Boston is shooting well from downtown, they are nearly unbeatable.

Dallas did a better job of limiting Bostons's looks from downtown early in Game 2, but as the game went on, they started to drill some threes and later pulled away. The Mavs have to keep the Celtics' shooters in check as best as they can, and that'll be important heading into Game 3.

Every single player in the Celtics' rotation can knock down open shots, and the Mavs know that. Boston doesn't have weak links like many of previous Dallas' previous opponents have had, and it'll be interesting to see how Kidd decides to play them in Game 3.

Kidd is never afraid to make adjustments, and if things start poorly in Game 3, he may roll the dice.