(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Despite making a furious run late in Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday, the Dallas Mavericks lost to the Boston Celtics, and they’re now on the verge of being swept — on their own home court.
On Friday, they will take the court at American Airlines Center looking to at least get one win and stay alive for at least one more game.
While Luka Doncic, their best player, has played very well at times in this series, he has received an increasing amount of criticism for complaining to the referees.
On the other hand, Mavs head coach Jason Kidd feels the media and fans need to lay off of Doncic and not be so rough on him, per Dave McMenamin.
Jason Kidd on the criticism Luka Doncic has been receiving: “Give my man a break … He will be better. Hopefully he’s better tonight”
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) June 14, 2024
Doncic has scored at least 30 points in two of the three games played in this series so far, but in Game 3, he shot just 11-of-27 and missed all but one of his seven 3-point attempts.
With just over four minutes left, he was assessed his sixth foul on a somewhat debatable blocking call, and even though Dallas challenged the call, the ruling stood, and Doncic was forced to watch the conclusion of the contest from the bench.
At the time, the Mavs had come roaring back from a 21-point deficit to pull to within three points, and after Doncic’s disqualification, Kyrie Irving scored to bring them to within one point.
But that was as close as they would get, and their 106-99 loss has put them in a do-or-die situation for Friday’s Game 4.
It is time for Doncic to remind the world that he can be deadly with his back against the wall and deliver a win for his team.
The post Jason Kidd Wants Media To Give 1 Mavericks Star ‘A Break’ appeared first on The Cold Wire.