On this episode of 'Inside The Mavs' Kevin Gray, Mavericks Pre/Post Game Host previews GM 5 of the NBA Finals between the Mavericks and Celtics. KG discusses what the Mavericks need from Kyrie Irving as they return to Boston to try and extend the series. Plus Kevin's talks about the keys to victory for Dallas to try and avoid elimination and more!
Support the show: This episode is brought to you by Aura. Aura: Stop data brokers from exposing your personal information. Go to my sponsor at https://aura.com/kevingray to get a 14-day free trial and see how much of yours is being sold.
Subscribe to @InsideTheMavs on YouTube for more Mavericks content and subscribe to Grant's channel @GrantAfseth on YouTube for more Mavericks coverage as well!
Be sure to subscribe to KG's YouTube channel @KevinGraySports and follow him on Twitter @KevinGraySports
Download and subscribe to the 'Inside The Mavs' Podcast, the official Mavericks podcast of 97.1 The Eagle wherever you get podcasts free, give it a five-star rating and write a review for the podcast.
Inside The Mavs Podcast:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-mavs/id1687581495
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Support the show: This episode is brought to you by Aura. Aura: Stop data brokers from exposing your personal information. Go to my sponsor at https://aura.com/kevingray to get a 14-day free trial and see how much of yours is being sold.
Subscribe to @InsideTheMavs on YouTube for more Mavericks content and subscribe to Grant's channel @GrantAfseth on YouTube for more Mavericks coverage as well!
Be sure to subscribe to KG's YouTube channel @KevinGraySports and follow him on Twitter @KevinGraySports
Download and subscribe to the 'Inside The Mavs' Podcast, the official Mavericks podcast of 97.1 The Eagle wherever you get podcasts free, give it a five-star rating and write a review for the podcast.
Inside The Mavs Podcast:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-mavs/id1687581495
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3lH97deoTre1memqcpISRe?si=16ed964f523e4b17
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Wednesday about your mindset and staying positiveand extending the series, and you shared
(00:03):
a metaphor to get the Bazuka thefifty col Do you think that job was
executed tonight? And then how doesthat help kind of the way y'all won
tonight in a hostile Boston craft forGame five? Yeah, No, it
was. It was how we startedoff the game and our ability to go
home get some rest, you know, not having the same forty eight hours
(00:23):
to get our bodies ready and recover, you know, So it felt like
it was pretty much the regular seasonin terms of that aspect. And you
know what I was learning to inthat metaphor is just go home and get
all the armor and get all theamo that you need and get ready for
this because we're gonna have to keepfiring away to give ourselves a chance on
the offensive end. But I thinkfor us, we wanted to make it
(00:46):
very much more respectable than it hasbeen in the past few games in terms
of limiting our mistakes on the defensiveend. You know, we've been one
of the best teams in the leagueof getting stops and that's been our identity,
and we played better I think offensivelyand this is just my opinion.
I think can vary across the team, but I think we play better offensively
when we're getting stops and able topush the pace and you know, get
(01:06):
get easy opportunities in transition, whichwe weren't doing the past few games as
often. So it felt good tobe on the positive end of seeing our
hard work reward us, especially ondefensive end. Can the Mavericks find a
way to extend their season once againor would come to an end in Boston
in Game five? This is Insidethe Maps. Welcome to Inside the MAVs
(02:00):
presented by Aura. I'm your hostKevin Gray, maveris prim postgame host and
the Dallas Mavericks Radio Network. Appreciateyou joining me here for this latest episode
of Inside the MAVs. Make suredownload subscribe to the podcast wherever you get
your podcasts or free give it afive star rating and run a review for
it while you're there. And ifyou watch this on YouTube channel like Kevin
Gray Sports, makes you liking commentson the video as well, and you
(02:21):
can follow me on Twitter. That'sKevin Gray Sports. Mavericks Celtics Game five
of the NBA Finals on Monday nightsat seven thirty pm. I'll have your
pregame show beginning at seven pm onthe Dallas Mavericks Radio Network. With the
Celtics up three games to one,looking to close out the series to win
their eighteen championship in franchise history andtheir first since two thousand and eight.
(02:46):
Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks looking toextend their season once again and get it
back to Dallas for a Game sixof the NBA Finals after obliterating the Celtics
and Game number four to win theirfirst game of this series, of course,
winning one twenty two to eighty four, a thirty eight point beat down
(03:07):
at the AAC. But for theMavericks, now having finally won a game
in this series, doing the thingsthat they needed to do that we were
hoping to see in Game number threeto be able to find a way to
win. Now, can they finda way to get a win in Boston,
especially when it comes to Kyrie Irving, who hasn't won in Boston since
(03:28):
leaving there back in twenty nineteen.But for the Mavericks is going to have
to be similar to what it wasin Game four. All hands on deck
to find a way to get awin. You saw what happened in Game
four, the Mavericks' ability to beable to get out and transition with their
defense, being able to turn theirdefense into offense, getting the vertical game
(03:49):
going with guys like Daniel Gaffer,especially in transition, also Dick Live with
the Second who was an inspiration knockingdown a three pointer that ignited the Mavericks
game four. Everyone will have tofind a way to play their role to
a t the way that they didin Game four, even a guy like
Josh Green who was helping out withfifty to fifty balls and making hustle plays.
(04:13):
Everyone was able to chip in andbe able to play with the kind
of desperation that will be needed goinginto Game five. But this starts and
ends for me yes with Luka Doncicobviously as the best player in this series,
but in this game in particular,in Game five, and Kyrie Irving
and Kyrie Irvings couple of games sofar in the NBA Finals in Boston,
(04:35):
only averaging fourteen points per game,nearly three turnover, shooting just thirty five
percent, and didn't make a singlethree in the two games in Boston,
which of course the Mavericks loss,he will have to be on full display.
You saw the video of him walkingoff after Game two saying that they
would be back with the Mavericks inGame five in Boston, and yet here
(04:58):
we are. Now. Can hechannel what he did with Lebron James back
in twenty sixteen when they were downthree games to one to find a way
to win that NBA Finals. I'mnot saying that Luca and Kyrie both got
to go off over forty points inGame five, but what you need is
the signature Kyrie irving game to beable to help Luca get this team back
(05:18):
to Dallas and bringing Boston with themfor a Game six. Because if he
can, he continues to rewrite hislegacy, the troubled one that he had
of course in Boston, but mostimportantly, continue to stamp his legacy as
a Dallas Maverick. So far,he has helped turn this team around with
his leadership and his stellar play onthe floor. Now, in the biggest
(05:40):
moment of their season, when theyneed it, he has to be the
one that drives it from an aggressivestandpoint, especially on the offensive van putting
away and shuddering the demons that haveplayed him in Boston. Now Kyrie has
the chance to turn the table onthe Celtics and deny them a celebration on
their home floor. With Christaps porzinkislooking like he's not going to play,
(06:01):
because if you listen to the commentsof Xavier Tillman, it sounds like Christophers
Porzingis is still struggling with that footinjury he's officially listening is questionable going into
game five. Luka Doncis is listedas probable with this thorastic contusion, and
we know that he's going to play. And if he gets to Kyrie Irving
that we saw in game three wherehe had the thirty five points and even
(06:24):
in the game four or churs KyrieIrving had in that game twenty one points,
combining with Luka Doncis to combine forfifty in game number four and more
so turn it up even further ingame five, the Mavers will give themselves
a terrific shot to be able towin that game to get it back to
Dallas. But all of this startswith the leadership and the exploits of Kyrie
(06:47):
Irving on the offensive and when wehave seen him ultimately be aggressive getting to
the rim, being able to finish, whether it be with the left he
layout finishing in the middle of thelane with his floater game. That is
to Kyrie Irving, that allows thisteam to play at its best, him
setting the tone on the offensive endand not allowing the game to come at
him at times, which we've seenin the postseason, which has been effective
(07:10):
at times, but most importantly,it's more effective when Kyrie and Luca together
set the offensive tone and set thetenor for the way that they want the
game to go offensively, and withno Christols porzingis continuing to attack the middle
of the lane and whether it bein the mid range or in the floater
game or getting to the cup forlayups, Mavericks have the chance to be
(07:33):
able to be that aggressor on theoffensive end, like you saw in Game
four where the Mavericks scored sixty oftheir one hundred and twenty two points in
the paint. A lot of thathaving to do with Kyrie Irving and Luka
Donc's ability to get to the rim, because you saw what happened in game
number four. They made a combinedone to three pointer between the two of
(07:55):
them them going and combined one tofourteen from downtown need to be a little
bit better from that obviously from thethree point line in order to get themselves
a chance to win more on Gamefive than what the Mavericks have to do
to find a way to get themselvesback to Dallas for Game six and why
it starts and ends with Kyrie Irving. But before we get there, let's
(08:16):
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As the Mavericks try to win Gamefive to force a Game six back
in Dallas, they need to finda way to get Kyrie Irving going.
(10:09):
In Game number five, from theoutset, Kyrie Irving talking about how he
will need to continue to eliminate theself doubt even when shots aren't falling,
but also eliminates the crowd when itcomes to the Celtics, who will be
on him. Of course, inGame five, as the Celtics try to
win an NBA championship, listen towhat to Kyrie Irving had to say about
(10:31):
that and what that means for himas he tries to focus in on winning
and helping the Mavericks win Game five. Take a listen, think in order
to silence even the self doubt,let alone the crowd doubt, but the
self doubt when you make or misshots. That's just as important as making sure
that I'm leading the team in theright way and being human through this experience
(10:52):
too, and telling them how Ifeel. I've had a few teammates being
this building with me on wins andlosses, so I know what it feels
like for both. But I tryto pay attention to the positive things that
got us wins here early in mycareer, and then also thinking about the
things I can learn from throughout theperformances that I've had here where I didn't
(11:15):
play up to par so just beinghonest about it and then also breathing through
the experience and having fun with it. So Kyrie Irving's saying, look,
eliminating the self doubt and having funis what's going to help him in Game
five of the Finals. And you'veheard from Derek Jones Junior and PJ.
Washington if you follow me on Twitterat Kevin Gray Sports, when I've asked
them what did they learn from Gamethree when they had that twenty two to
(11:39):
two run to pull it within onewith three and a half minutes so that
they could take with them going intoGame four, And the common denominated was
having fun and playing the game ofjoy. They'll need to do that same
thing in game five like they didin Game four, which has come out
extremely aggressive, getting to the rim, putting pressure on Boston on the defensive
(12:01):
end, where the Mavericks force fourteenturnovers, being able to dominate inside the
paint, but also winning the fiftyto fifty balls, getting after it in
every single possession with the rotations,especially on the defensive end. Luka Doncs
in game number four responded to thecriticism that was very loud and very poignant
by several people, with a defensiveperformance that needs to be seen going into
(12:24):
Game five. Luka Doncics held theCeltics to two of nine from the field
when he was the primary defender inGame four. That defensive effort in intensity
is going to be needed once againto try to beat Boston, who is
as talented as they come. Ofcourse, a team that won sixty four
games during the regular season, andbefore Gain four's loss, had won ten
(12:45):
straight games and the postseason, ateam that has not shot the ball,
did not shoot the ball well fromthree in Game four, and was the
best three point shooting team in theleague, making nearly seventeen threes per game
and shooting nearly thirty nine percent fromdowntown. They look to get back on
track like they did in game numberone, where it was a barrage of
three pointers. But also in thatgame one, of course, they had
(13:07):
Christas Berzingis. It appears that theywill not have him going into Game five,
and more of a break glass scenarioif they need. Christaps Porzingis,
who was made available to play inGame four but didn't obviously sing a single
minute in the game for blowout loss. But for the Mavericks, you and
I know what they need to doand how they play at their best when
(13:30):
they're getting after it on the defensiveend, being able to play their best
offense, when being able to defendand get out in transition for easy buckets,
whether it be Dereck live or DanielGaffer finishing strong at the rim,
or when they're able to attack therim getting downhill, especially with not any
type of presence in the middle.Defensively, for the Celtics, and Luka
(13:50):
Doncic did something not only defensively inGame four that I thought was great,
as we mentioned, holding the Celticsto two of nine when he was a
primary defender, but he played aquiet, focused game, not having conversations
with officials and made sure that hisgame was focused on beating the Celtics in
any way possible, whether it bediving on the floor for loose balls,
(14:13):
whatever the case may be. Lukadonci set the tone with his ability to
keep his mouth shut when it cameto conversations with the referees and when he
had told me about that when wetalked to him a few days ago.
It was about, Hey, Igotta stop doing that. I have to
find a way to cut that conversationoff, and he did so in game
four. A focused laser like LukaDoncic is a scary one and if you
(14:37):
have that in game five, theMavericks will give themselves a tremendous chance to
win that game to force a Gamesix. And that's all that you can
ask for, aside from all thex's and o's and everything that we've talked
about when it comes to double dragscreens, being able to find a way
to get Luka donci to Kyrie Irvinggoing on the offensive, and no matter
(14:58):
what you look at and turns theX and l's, this now comes down
to who wants it more and arethe Celtics contend to lose a game five
because they are knowing that they wereup three games to two coming back to
Dallas. If you listen to SamHauser's comments from the Celtics, they're not
necessarily worried about it if they dolose Game five, but if they do,
(15:18):
the pressure continues to squarely go onBoston, where we know a couple
of years ago when they were inthe NBA Finals in twenty twenty two,
they were up two games to onein that series, had to lead in
the fourth quarter and ultimately lost thatseries. Even last year, when they
lost in the Eastern Conference Finals toMiami Heat, had got up three games
(15:39):
to none. The Celtics forced agame seven, but they were ultimately coming
up short when they should have wonthat series. Boston, if they want
to find a way, they needto shut it down in Game five and
not allow the Mavericks to continue togain confidence. But if you're the Mavericks,
all you have to do is playyour game, play loose, play
(16:00):
confidence, and play with fun,and you'll see what happens and knock down
enough shots to be able to keepup and maybe you see some more of
Tim Hardaway Junior, as Jason Kiddtalked about in the media availability on Sunday,
which was Hey, Tim Hardaway Juniorlooked like Array Allen wanted to look.
Now, Jason, let's relax fora second. Tim Harvey Junior had
those fifteen points, yes, andno six minutes went five or six from
(16:22):
downtown, but obviously it was inmop up duty. But if you're going
to take something from that, theidea is that maybe the dethawing of Tim
Hardaway Junior from his cold shooting fromthe three point line will be something that
is going to be needed. Butfor me, this series and maybe the
way that the tone of this serieschanged happened early on in the first quarter
(16:44):
and it was a fairly innocuous play. But we talked about it a little
bit after the game for recap,which was Derrick Jones Junior and Jason Tatam
got into a little bit of ayou know, not tussle if you will,
but had some words, a littlepushing and a little shoving. But
it was the first time in aseries that the Mavericks had shown some fights
and shown some backbone about dealing withthe Celtics team. And I don't know
(17:07):
how much more of that plays atSouth in Game five, but the idea
is the Mavericks are here to fightand continue to fight for their season as
they try to pursue something that's neverbeen done in one hundred and fifty six
tries, which is win a seriesafter being down three games to none,
and maybe just maybe the fight thatthey showed in that twenty two to two
(17:27):
run to get it within one,ultimately blowing out the Celtics in Game four
can carry itself over into Game fiveand then be able to put themselves in
position to do so. But moreso than anything else, the Mavericks have
to have belief, and Luka doncis talking about that belief after Game four
as a springboard to continue to finda way to try to deal with Boston.
(17:52):
Here's Luka Doncis discussing that, howdoes that outlook change now in the
series that you have a win underyour belt and you have a few more
life headed to Boston. I mean, it doesn't change anything. Like I
said at the beginning of this series, is first of four and we're gonna
believe till the end, So wejust got to keep going. I have
(18:12):
a big belief in this team thatwe can do it, so we just
gotta keep believing. It's the firstof four. Luca Donge is having quote
unquote big belief that this team cancontinue to find a way to get it
done, and they will need allthat belief and the right execution in more
to be able to take out aBoston team that is looking to try and
(18:34):
end this series on their home floor. And I won't say that the Celtics
looked disinterested at times, but clearlythere was a lack of execution and consistency
that we had seen from them throughoutthe course of the regular season and into
the postseason. The Mavericks earning theirfirst win against Boston regular season or postseason
of any kind in Game four,and finally you get to see the Luka
(18:59):
Doncic and Kyrie Irving in a winningsituation, along with the execution when it
came to the vertical game and everythingelse that the Mavericks were known for.
And no matter how this series ends, I was excited to see the Mavericks
win Game four because it gave thathome crowd at the American Airlines Center something
to remember this series by, nomatter how it ends, because the Mavericks
(19:22):
played their game of basketball, theirbrand of basketball, which is tough on
the defensive end, flying around gettinglob dunks, but also Kyrie Irving and
Luka Doncics leading the way from themon both ends of the floor. That
is the Mavericks basketball that we sawgive them a sixteen and two run in
their most meaningful games down the stretchof the regular season, the team that
allowed them to go twenty four tonine in their final thirty three games and
(19:47):
have nearly the same record as theboss of Celtics in the final thirty three
to thirty four games of the season. A reason why they were able to
take down the Clippers and the Timberwolvesand the Oklahoma City Thunder and to be
able to get to their first finalssince twenty eleven. That brand of basketball
we finally saw in Game four,if we see that again in Game five,
(20:07):
this is a team that could beanyone in the league and has proven
that throughout the course of the seasonand in the postseason, and Boston found
that out firsthand. We said atthe beginning of this series. I said
it at the beginning of the NBAFinals that if the Celtics do not bring
their a game consistently throughout this series, the Mavericks or a team as good
(20:27):
as they are, can beat you. And the Celtics found that out.
How they respond in Game five willbe up to them based on what the
Mavericks are able to do. Beingable to help the helper and be able
to rotate and communicate and be ableto fly around on the defensive end with
their rotations. That is the brandof Mavericks basketball. That you and I
(20:48):
have grown to custom to seeing throughoutthe course of the season, especially during
the second half of the year whenthey turned themselves into arguably the best defensive
team in the league. That is, the team that showed up in Game
four holding the Celtics to what wasin that first half just thirty five points,
the fewest points in the Joe Missoulaera. The eighty four points where
the fewest that the Celtics had allseason long. That Mavericks team, if
(21:12):
they show up in Boston in Gamefive, will walk out with a win.
If they come up with anything lessthan that, their season is going
to end. And what has beena spectacular season for the Mavericks, but
you and I have faith and confidencethat they can continue to make this a
series. And all I can sayis, don't let it get back to
(21:33):
Dallas for a Game six. Ifthey continue to grow with that confidence that
they found during that twenty two totwo run, playing with joy and having
fun, carrying that over into Gamefour, blowing the doors off of Boston,
and then find a way to getit out of Boston for Dallas to
come back for a Game six,all bets are off at that point.
Because then it really becomes a series. The old adage in the NBA playoffs
(21:56):
is at a series doesn't start untila road team wins a game. Well,
the series started when the Boston Celticswon Game three. The Mavericks responded
in kind in Game four. Nowthe Mavericks have the chance to return the
favor in Game five, and ifthey do, we have a chance to
see ourselves a really terrific and intriguingfinish to this NBA Finals. But this
(22:19):
is all about the Mavericks belief inthemselves, their ability to execute on both
the offensive and defensive end, andbelieve in their hearts that this is something
that they can make happen. Andmaybe, who knows, Derek Lively three
pointer or two can help make thedifference like we saw in Game four.
But it should be one hell ofa basketball game no matter how this finishes.
(22:41):
But for the Mavericks, they're lookingto extend their season once again to
get it back to Dallas for Gamesix, Game five of the NBA Finals
on Monday night at seven thirty pmin Boston on the Dallas Maveris Radio Network.
All have the pregame show begetting atseven pm on the Mass Radio Network.
Make sure you follow me on Twitterat Kevin Gray Sports for all continuing
(23:03):
coverage of the NBA Finals between yourDallas Mavericks and the Boston Celtics. That'll
do it for this episode of Insidethe Mass. Thank you again for joining
me here on this episode. Makesure you download and subscribe to the podcast
wherever you get your podcasts for free. Give it a five star rating and
write a review for it while you'rethere. And again, if you're watching
on my YouTube channel at Kevin GraySports, makes you like a comment on
(23:26):
the video and follow me on Twitterat Kevin Gray Sports. This has been
Inside the MAVs presented by Aura
Wednesday about your mindset and staying positiveand extending the series, and you shared
(00:03):
a metaphor to get the Bazuka thefifty col Do you think that job was
executed tonight? And then how doesthat help kind of the way y'all won
tonight in a hostile Boston craft forGame five? Yeah, No, it
was. It was how we startedoff the game and our ability to go
home get some rest, you know, not having the same forty eight hours
(00:23):
to get our bodies ready and recover, you know, So it felt like
it was pretty much the regular seasonin terms of that aspect. And you
know what I was learning to inthat metaphor is just go home and get
all the armor and get all theamo that you need and get ready for
this because we're gonna have to keepfiring away to give ourselves a chance on
the offensive end. But I thinkfor us, we wanted to make it
(00:46):
very much more respectable than it hasbeen in the past few games in terms
of limiting our mistakes on the defensiveend. You know, we've been one
of the best teams in the leagueof getting stops and that's been our identity,
and we played better I think offensivelyand this is just my opinion.
I think can vary across the team, but I think we play better offensively
when we're getting stops and able topush the pace and you know, get
(01:06):
get easy opportunities in transition, whichwe weren't doing the past few games as
often. So it felt good tobe on the positive end of seeing our
hard work reward us, especially ondefensive end. Can the Mavericks find a
way to extend their season once againor would come to an end in Boston
in Game five? This is Insidethe Maps. Welcome to Inside the MAVs
(02:00):
presented by Aura. I'm your hostKevin Gray, maveris prim postgame host and
the Dallas Mavericks Radio Network. Appreciateyou joining me here for this latest episode
of Inside the MAVs. Make suredownload subscribe to the podcast wherever you get
your podcasts or free give it afive star rating and run a review for
it while you're there. And ifyou watch this on YouTube channel like Kevin
Gray Sports, makes you liking commentson the video as well, and you
(02:21):
can follow me on Twitter. That'sKevin Gray Sports. Mavericks Celtics Game five
of the NBA Finals on Monday nightsat seven thirty pm. I'll have your
pregame show beginning at seven pm onthe Dallas Mavericks Radio Network. With the
Celtics up three games to one,looking to close out the series to win
their eighteen championship in franchise history andtheir first since two thousand and eight.
(02:46):
Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks looking toextend their season once again and get it
back to Dallas for a Game sixof the NBA Finals after obliterating the Celtics
and Game number four to win theirfirst game of this series, of course,
winning one twenty two to eighty four, a thirty eight point beat down
(03:07):
at the AAC. But for theMavericks, now having finally won a game
in this series, doing the thingsthat they needed to do that we were
hoping to see in Game number threeto be able to find a way to
win. Now, can they finda way to get a win in Boston,
especially when it comes to Kyrie Irving, who hasn't won in Boston since
(03:28):
leaving there back in twenty nineteen.But for the Mavericks is going to have
to be similar to what it wasin Game four. All hands on deck
to find a way to get awin. You saw what happened in Game
four, the Mavericks' ability to beable to get out and transition with their
defense, being able to turn theirdefense into offense, getting the vertical game
(03:49):
going with guys like Daniel Gaffer,especially in transition, also Dick Live with
the Second who was an inspiration knockingdown a three pointer that ignited the Mavericks
game four. Everyone will have tofind a way to play their role to
a t the way that they didin Game four, even a guy like
Josh Green who was helping out withfifty to fifty balls and making hustle plays.
(04:13):
Everyone was able to chip in andbe able to play with the kind
of desperation that will be needed goinginto Game five. But this starts and
ends for me yes with Luka Doncicobviously as the best player in this series,
but in this game in particular,in Game five, and Kyrie Irving
and Kyrie Irvings couple of games sofar in the NBA Finals in Boston,
(04:35):
only averaging fourteen points per game,nearly three turnover, shooting just thirty five
percent, and didn't make a singlethree in the two games in Boston,
which of course the Mavericks loss,he will have to be on full display.
You saw the video of him walkingoff after Game two saying that they
would be back with the Mavericks inGame five in Boston, and yet here
(04:58):
we are. Now. Can hechannel what he did with Lebron James back
in twenty sixteen when they were downthree games to one to find a way
to win that NBA Finals. I'mnot saying that Luca and Kyrie both got
to go off over forty points inGame five, but what you need is
the signature Kyrie irving game to beable to help Luca get this team back
(05:18):
to Dallas and bringing Boston with themfor a Game six. Because if he
can, he continues to rewrite hislegacy, the troubled one that he had
of course in Boston, but mostimportantly, continue to stamp his legacy as
a Dallas Maverick. So far,he has helped turn this team around with
his leadership and his stellar play onthe floor. Now, in the biggest
(05:40):
moment of their season, when theyneed it, he has to be the
one that drives it from an aggressivestandpoint, especially on the offensive van putting
away and shuddering the demons that haveplayed him in Boston. Now Kyrie has
the chance to turn the table onthe Celtics and deny them a celebration on
their home floor. With Christaps porzinkislooking like he's not going to play,
(06:01):
because if you listen to the commentsof Xavier Tillman, it sounds like Christophers
Porzingis is still struggling with that footinjury he's officially listening is questionable going into
game five. Luka Doncis is listedas probable with this thorastic contusion, and
we know that he's going to play. And if he gets to Kyrie Irving
that we saw in game three wherehe had the thirty five points and even
(06:24):
in the game four or churs KyrieIrving had in that game twenty one points,
combining with Luka Doncis to combine forfifty in game number four and more
so turn it up even further ingame five, the Mavers will give themselves
a terrific shot to be able towin that game to get it back to
Dallas. But all of this startswith the leadership and the exploits of Kyrie
(06:47):
Irving on the offensive and when wehave seen him ultimately be aggressive getting to
the rim, being able to finish, whether it be with the left he
layout finishing in the middle of thelane with his floater game. That is
to Kyrie Irving, that allows thisteam to play at its best, him
setting the tone on the offensive endand not allowing the game to come at
him at times, which we've seenin the postseason, which has been effective
(07:10):
at times, but most importantly,it's more effective when Kyrie and Luca together
set the offensive tone and set thetenor for the way that they want the
game to go offensively, and withno Christols porzingis continuing to attack the middle
of the lane and whether it bein the mid range or in the floater
game or getting to the cup forlayups, Mavericks have the chance to be
(07:33):
able to be that aggressor on theoffensive end, like you saw in Game
four where the Mavericks scored sixty oftheir one hundred and twenty two points in
the paint. A lot of thathaving to do with Kyrie Irving and Luka
Donc's ability to get to the rim, because you saw what happened in game
number four. They made a combinedone to three pointer between the two of
(07:55):
them them going and combined one tofourteen from downtown need to be a little
bit better from that obviously from thethree point line in order to get themselves
a chance to win more on Gamefive than what the Mavericks have to do
to find a way to get themselvesback to Dallas for Game six and why
it starts and ends with Kyrie Irving. But before we get there, let's
(08:16):
hear from today's sponsor of our videoon our podcast, and let's hear from
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As the Mavericks try to win Gamefive to force a Game six back
in Dallas, they need to finda way to get Kyrie Irving going.
(10:09):
In Game number five, from theoutset, Kyrie Irving talking about how he
will need to continue to eliminate theself doubt even when shots aren't falling,
but also eliminates the crowd when itcomes to the Celtics, who will be
on him. Of course, inGame five, as the Celtics try to
win an NBA championship, listen towhat to Kyrie Irving had to say about
(10:31):
that and what that means for himas he tries to focus in on winning
and helping the Mavericks win Game five. Take a listen, think in order
to silence even the self doubt,let alone the crowd doubt, but the
self doubt when you make or misshots. That's just as important as making sure
that I'm leading the team in theright way and being human through this experience
(10:52):
too, and telling them how Ifeel. I've had a few teammates being
this building with me on wins andlosses, so I know what it feels
like for both. But I tryto pay attention to the positive things that
got us wins here early in mycareer, and then also thinking about the
things I can learn from throughout theperformances that I've had here where I didn't
(11:15):
play up to par so just beinghonest about it and then also breathing through
the experience and having fun with it. So Kyrie Irving's saying, look,
eliminating the self doubt and having funis what's going to help him in Game
five of the Finals. And you'veheard from Derek Jones Junior and PJ.
Washington if you follow me on Twitterat Kevin Gray Sports, when I've asked
them what did they learn from Gamethree when they had that twenty two to
(11:39):
two run to pull it within onewith three and a half minutes so that
they could take with them going intoGame four, And the common denominated was
having fun and playing the game ofjoy. They'll need to do that same
thing in game five like they didin Game four, which has come out
extremely aggressive, getting to the rim, putting pressure on Boston on the defensive
(12:01):
end, where the Mavericks force fourteenturnovers, being able to dominate inside the
paint, but also winning the fiftyto fifty balls, getting after it in
every single possession with the rotations,especially on the defensive end. Luka Doncs
in game number four responded to thecriticism that was very loud and very poignant
by several people, with a defensiveperformance that needs to be seen going into
(12:24):
Game five. Luka Doncics held theCeltics to two of nine from the field
when he was the primary defender inGame four. That defensive effort in intensity
is going to be needed once againto try to beat Boston, who is
as talented as they come. Ofcourse, a team that won sixty four
games during the regular season, andbefore Gain four's loss, had won ten
(12:45):
straight games and the postseason, ateam that has not shot the ball,
did not shoot the ball well fromthree in Game four, and was the
best three point shooting team in theleague, making nearly seventeen threes per game
and shooting nearly thirty nine percent fromdowntown. They look to get back on
track like they did in game numberone, where it was a barrage of
three pointers. But also in thatgame one, of course, they had
(13:07):
Christas Berzingis. It appears that theywill not have him going into Game five,
and more of a break glass scenarioif they need. Christaps Porzingis,
who was made available to play inGame four but didn't obviously sing a single
minute in the game for blowout loss. But for the Mavericks, you and
I know what they need to doand how they play at their best when
(13:30):
they're getting after it on the defensiveend, being able to play their best
offense, when being able to defendand get out in transition for easy buckets,
whether it be Dereck live or DanielGaffer finishing strong at the rim,
or when they're able to attack therim getting downhill, especially with not any
type of presence in the middle.Defensively, for the Celtics, and Luka
(13:50):
Doncic did something not only defensively inGame four that I thought was great,
as we mentioned, holding the Celticsto two of nine when he was a
primary defender, but he played aquiet, focused game, not having conversations
with officials and made sure that hisgame was focused on beating the Celtics in
any way possible, whether it bediving on the floor for loose balls,
(14:13):
whatever the case may be. Lukadonci set the tone with his ability to
keep his mouth shut when it cameto conversations with the referees and when he
had told me about that when wetalked to him a few days ago.
It was about, Hey, Igotta stop doing that. I have to
find a way to cut that conversationoff, and he did so in game
four. A focused laser like LukaDoncic is a scary one and if you
(14:37):
have that in game five, theMavericks will give themselves a tremendous chance to
win that game to force a Gamesix. And that's all that you can
ask for, aside from all thex's and o's and everything that we've talked
about when it comes to double dragscreens, being able to find a way
to get Luka donci to Kyrie Irvinggoing on the offensive, and no matter
(14:58):
what you look at and turns theX and l's, this now comes down
to who wants it more and arethe Celtics contend to lose a game five
because they are knowing that they wereup three games to two coming back to
Dallas. If you listen to SamHauser's comments from the Celtics, they're not
necessarily worried about it if they dolose Game five, but if they do,
(15:18):
the pressure continues to squarely go onBoston, where we know a couple
of years ago when they were inthe NBA Finals in twenty twenty two,
they were up two games to onein that series, had to lead in
the fourth quarter and ultimately lost thatseries. Even last year, when they
lost in the Eastern Conference Finals toMiami Heat, had got up three games
(15:39):
to none. The Celtics forced agame seven, but they were ultimately coming
up short when they should have wonthat series. Boston, if they want
to find a way, they needto shut it down in Game five and
not allow the Mavericks to continue togain confidence. But if you're the Mavericks,
all you have to do is playyour game, play loose, play
(16:00):
confidence, and play with fun,and you'll see what happens and knock down
enough shots to be able to keepup and maybe you see some more of
Tim Hardaway Junior, as Jason Kiddtalked about in the media availability on Sunday,
which was Hey, Tim Hardaway Juniorlooked like Array Allen wanted to look.
Now, Jason, let's relax fora second. Tim Harvey Junior had
those fifteen points, yes, andno six minutes went five or six from
(16:22):
downtown, but obviously it was inmop up duty. But if you're going
to take something from that, theidea is that maybe the dethawing of Tim
Hardaway Junior from his cold shooting fromthe three point line will be something that
is going to be needed. Butfor me, this series and maybe the
way that the tone of this serieschanged happened early on in the first quarter
(16:44):
and it was a fairly innocuous play. But we talked about it a little
bit after the game for recap,which was Derrick Jones Junior and Jason Tatam
got into a little bit of ayou know, not tussle if you will,
but had some words, a littlepushing and a little shoving. But
it was the first time in aseries that the Mavericks had shown some fights
and shown some backbone about dealing withthe Celtics team. And I don't know
(17:07):
how much more of that plays atSouth in Game five, but the idea
is the Mavericks are here to fightand continue to fight for their season as
they try to pursue something that's neverbeen done in one hundred and fifty six
tries, which is win a seriesafter being down three games to none,
and maybe just maybe the fight thatthey showed in that twenty two to two
(17:27):
run to get it within one,ultimately blowing out the Celtics in Game four
can carry itself over into Game fiveand then be able to put themselves in
position to do so. But moreso than anything else, the Mavericks have
to have belief, and Luka doncis talking about that belief after Game four
as a springboard to continue to finda way to try to deal with Boston.
(17:52):
Here's Luka Doncis discussing that, howdoes that outlook change now in the
series that you have a win underyour belt and you have a few more
life headed to Boston. I mean, it doesn't change anything. Like I
said at the beginning of this series, is first of four and we're gonna
believe till the end, So wejust got to keep going. I have
(18:12):
a big belief in this team thatwe can do it, so we just
gotta keep believing. It's the firstof four. Luca Donge is having quote
unquote big belief that this team cancontinue to find a way to get it
done, and they will need allthat belief and the right execution in more
to be able to take out aBoston team that is looking to try and
(18:34):
end this series on their home floor. And I won't say that the Celtics
looked disinterested at times, but clearlythere was a lack of execution and consistency
that we had seen from them throughoutthe course of the regular season and into
the postseason. The Mavericks earning theirfirst win against Boston regular season or postseason
of any kind in Game four,and finally you get to see the Luka
(18:59):
Doncic and Kyrie Irving in a winningsituation, along with the execution when it
came to the vertical game and everythingelse that the Mavericks were known for.
And no matter how this series ends, I was excited to see the Mavericks
win Game four because it gave thathome crowd at the American Airlines Center something
to remember this series by, nomatter how it ends, because the Mavericks
(19:22):
played their game of basketball, theirbrand of basketball, which is tough on
the defensive end, flying around gettinglob dunks, but also Kyrie Irving and
Luka Doncics leading the way from themon both ends of the floor. That
is the Mavericks basketball that we sawgive them a sixteen and two run in
their most meaningful games down the stretchof the regular season, the team that
allowed them to go twenty four tonine in their final thirty three games and
(19:47):
have nearly the same record as theboss of Celtics in the final thirty three
to thirty four games of the season. A reason why they were able to
take down the Clippers and the Timberwolvesand the Oklahoma City Thunder and to be
able to get to their first finalssince twenty eleven. That brand of basketball
we finally saw in Game four,if we see that again in Game five,
(20:07):
this is a team that could beanyone in the league and has proven
that throughout the course of the seasonand in the postseason, and Boston found
that out firsthand. We said atthe beginning of this series. I said
it at the beginning of the NBAFinals that if the Celtics do not bring
their a game consistently throughout this series, the Mavericks or a team as good
(20:27):
as they are, can beat you. And the Celtics found that out.
How they respond in Game five willbe up to them based on what the
Mavericks are able to do. Beingable to help the helper and be able
to rotate and communicate and be ableto fly around on the defensive end with
their rotations. That is the brandof Mavericks basketball. That you and I
(20:48):
have grown to custom to seeing throughoutthe course of the season, especially during
the second half of the year whenthey turned themselves into arguably the best defensive
team in the league. That is, the team that showed up in Game
four holding the Celtics to what wasin that first half just thirty five points,
the fewest points in the Joe Missoulaera. The eighty four points where
the fewest that the Celtics had allseason long. That Mavericks team, if
(21:12):
they show up in Boston in Gamefive, will walk out with a win.
If they come up with anything lessthan that, their season is going
to end. And what has beena spectacular season for the Mavericks, but
you and I have faith and confidencethat they can continue to make this a
series. And all I can sayis, don't let it get back to
(21:33):
Dallas for a Game six. Ifthey continue to grow with that confidence that
they found during that twenty two totwo run, playing with joy and having
fun, carrying that over into Gamefour, blowing the doors off of Boston,
and then find a way to getit out of Boston for Dallas to
come back for a Game six,all bets are off at that point.
Because then it really becomes a series. The old adage in the NBA playoffs
(21:56):
is at a series doesn't start untila road team wins a game. Well,
the series started when the Boston Celticswon Game three. The Mavericks responded
in kind in Game four. Nowthe Mavericks have the chance to return the
favor in Game five, and ifthey do, we have a chance to
see ourselves a really terrific and intriguingfinish to this NBA Finals. But this
(22:19):
is all about the Mavericks belief inthemselves, their ability to execute on both
the offensive and defensive end, andbelieve in their hearts that this is something
that they can make happen. Andmaybe, who knows, Derek Lively three
pointer or two can help make thedifference like we saw in Game four.
But it should be one hell ofa basketball game no matter how this finishes.
(22:41):
But for the Mavericks, they're lookingto extend their season once again to
get it back to Dallas for Gamesix, Game five of the NBA Finals
on Monday night at seven thirty pmin Boston on the Dallas Maveris Radio Network.
All have the pregame show begetting atseven pm on the Mass Radio Network.
Make sure you follow me on Twitterat Kevin Gray Sports for all continuing
(23:03):
coverage of the NBA Finals between yourDallas Mavericks and the Boston Celtics. That'll
do it for this episode of Insidethe Mass. Thank you again for joining
me here on this episode. Makesure you download and subscribe to the podcast
wherever you get your podcasts for free. Give it a five star rating and
write a review for it while you'rethere. And again, if you're watching
on my YouTube channel at Kevin GraySports, makes you like a comment on
(23:26):
the video and follow me on Twitterat Kevin Gray Sports. This has been
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