By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Struggling across the board in Game 1, the Dallas Mavericks get a second chance in TD Garden on Sunday.
With the Boston Celtics comfortably going up to 1-0 in a best-of-seven series for the NBA championship, the team coached by Jason Kidd hopes to avoid a two-game deficit before the NBA Finals presented by YouTube TV go to Dallas. Another explosion by Latvian Kristaps Porzingis would certainly be an issue for German Maxi Kleber and his teammates.
“We have got to make it a little bit harder on him to get the catches on the elbow. Push out a little bit further and then just stay in front of him and make sure we contest a shot the best way possible. We definitely can’t let him get into rhythm early,” said Kleber after practice on Saturday, referring to Porzingis scoring 18 of his 20 points in the first half of Game 1.
It remains unclear whether the Latvian forward/center will come off the bench for a second straight contest or return to his usual role in the starting lineup of Joe Mazzulla.
Bouncing back from Game 1 loss
Earlier in the 2024 NBA Playoffs presented by Google Pixel, the Mavericks overcame a loss in Game 1 of the Quarterfinals and Semifinals of the Western Conference to eliminate the Los Angeles Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder. Knocking out the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games was the next step.
“I think we dealt with good crowds in Game 1s before. I feel like OKC and Minnesota were very loud,” Kleber compared the atmosphere in Boston to the previous series, “This is the Finals and it’s the biggest stage. But at the end of the day, we have to focus on our game and play with the right mindset.”
“Big, big gap between Dirk Nowitzki and me”
Back in 2011, the Mavericks reached the NBA Finals and were crowned champions behind German superstar Dirk Nowitzki. Thirteen years later, Germany combines with the Mavericks in the Finals once more.
“I think there’s a big, big gap between Dirk Nowitzki and me. He’s one of the greatest ever, so I would never, ever dare to compare myself to him,” stressed Kleber, “I also think the role that he had and the playoff run that they had back then was so outstanding and one of the most crazy underdog runs.”
“For me, it’s an honor to be here, to fight with the team for the championship. I don’t take it for granted. Just come out here and play my hardest,” he added.
After Game 2, the series switches to American Airlines Center for Game 3 on Wednesday and Game 4 on Friday.