BOSTON — Defending Luka Doncic takes a team effort. There is no singular solution to slowing down the Dallas Mavericks star. But in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, the Boston Celtics found something that worked.
Boston switched everything, guarding Doncic straight up and choosing to take away the passes he usually generates. Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford’s lob game was eliminated, and the Celtics took away corner threes as well. “They are a scrappy team defensively,” Gafford said at practice on Saturday.
The Celtics have been tirelessly prepping to guard Doncic’s unique style of play, and assistant coach DJ MacLeay’s scouting has been a focal point of their efforts.