Can Luka Doncic Pick Up Defense In Game 4 And Keep Mavericks Alive?

Luka Stinks Defensively

The Celtics and Mavericks will face off in Game 4 of the NBA Finals tonight with the Mavericks facing elimination, as the Celtics are up 3-0 in this series. 

Dallas is on their home court and maybe they can put together a win with the help of Luka Doncic stepping up defensively. 

Because, you see, so far Doncic has not been great on defense in these playoffs. 

The highest blow-by percentage allowed on drives in a series in the last 10 years (minimum 10 drives defended per game):

1. '24 Luka Doncic vs Celtics
2. '24 Luka Doncic vs Clippers
3. '24 Luka Doncic vs Thunder

The Celtics are also blowing by Doncic on 67.7 percent of the drives in the NBA Finals, per NBC Sports Boston. 

He is, as they say, a traffic cone. Which makes you wonder how the Timberwolves let them get through.

Bet On Him to Improve in Game 4?

Understandably, throughout the three games of this NBA Finals so far, Doncic’s Finals MVP odds have plummeted. 

They opened at +1800, moved to +600 after Game 2 and are now at +3000 behind Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. 

And if you think Doncic can improve on defense tonight, there are some bets you could look at. Doncic over 9.5 rebounds is at +100 at BetMGM and over 0.5 blocks is +180. 

Also, might be worth noting for those who are interested and think he might be a bit better on offense than defense, BetMGM has an odds boost on Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Doncic all to score 25 or more points tonight boosted to +270. 

Also, Mavericks moneyline is at -115.

Mavericks Want to Send This Back to Boston

There is no doubt Doncic’s lack of success on defense in these Finals has been noticeable. And if he can pick that up in Game 4, the Mavericks have a better chance of forcing a Game 5. And if you think he will show up defensively tonight, it’s worth betting on him to do so at BetMGM.