Jason Kidd irked by Dallas Mavericks shot selection after blowing lead in Game 2

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The Dallas Mavericks blew a 19-point lead in their loss to the Golden State Warriors in the second game of the Western Conference semifinals, and Coach Kidd criticized his team for relying too heavily on the 3-point shot.

The Mavs made 21 of 45 3-point attempts in the game, matching the third-most 3s made during a playoff loss in NBA history. The Mavs were held to 13 points in the third quarter and went 2-of-13 on 3s as a major problem.

When you go 2-for-13 and rely on the 3, you can die, Kidd said after the Warriors took a 2-0 series lead.

The Mavs made it to the Western Conference finals thanks to their prolific 3-point shooting. They have thrived with Luka Doncic orchestrating a five-out offensive attack, with catch-and-shoot reserve Maxi Kleber playing significantly more minutes than the starter. Dallas leads the league in 3-pointers made and attempts in the playoffs, shooting 37.9% from beyond the rim.

In their Game 1 loss to the Warriors, the Mavs went 11-of-48 from 3-point range, but Kidd encouraged them to keep taking open looks. The Mavs were 15-of-27 from 3-point range in the first half, as they built their big lead at the Chase Center. The well went dry in the third quarter as the Warriors defeated the Mavs.

The Mavs guard scored 31 points on 11-of-19 shooting, including 5-of-7 from 3-point range. A lot of guys are capable of making shots. I have confidence in everybody to knock it down if we shoot the correct shots, make the extra pass, and do the things that we do.

When the Warriors made their run in the third quarter, Kidd decided not to call a timeout and the Mavs needed to be more aggressive off the dribble. The Mavs attempted only four free throws in the final six minutes of the game despite being in the bonus.

Kidd said that if you miss four in a row, you can't take the fifth. If you don't get stops on the other end, it turns into a runaway, and that puts too much stress on yourself and your team.

The Warriors trailed by two points at the end of the third quarter. Golden State did not take its first lead of the game until Otto Porter Jr. hit a 3-pointer on the opening possession of the fourth quarter. The Warriors scored 43 points on 19-of-19 shooting in the fourth.

Kidd said that they have to get better at this time of the year.

Golden State had six scorers in double figures led by Stephen Curry who had 32 points. Doncic finished with 42 points and eight assists, going 12-of-23 from the floor and 5-of-10 on 3s.

It was the seventh 40-point playoff performance of the young man, tying Dirk Nowitzki for the most in franchise history. When Doncic scores 40 or more, the Mavs are 0-7.

After losing to the Phoenix Suns in the previous series, Doncic thought the Mavs made a mistake by not driving more often.

Doncic said that they weren't attacking the paint that much. They attacked the paint. They have two of the best shooters in the world, and they still attack the paint. I think we need to rely less on the 3.