One issue the Mavericks must solve to mount comeback in NBA Finals

"The Mavs are shooting 24.5 percent (13-of-53) from three-point range as a team," wrote NBA.com's Brian Martin. "If we remove Doncic's 8-of-21, the rest of the squad is shooting just 15.6 percent (5-of-32). Of those 32 three-point attempts, 29 are either open (closest defender 4-6 feet away) or wide open (closest defender 6+ feet away)."

This could be one reason the Mavs trail the Celtics 2-0 in the series. For context, Dallas shot 38.6 percent from beyond the arc in the Western Conference Finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves and 39.7 percent in the semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Moving to Dallas for Game 3 may help the Mavericks regain their shooting groove. According to Martin, they've shot 38 percent from three-point range at home this postseason compared to 34.7 percent on the road. 

Regardless, Dallas needs someone else to step up, especially with Doncic battling a thoracic contusion. Per ESPN's Tim MacMahon and Malika Andrews, the five-time All-Star received a pain-killing injection before Game 2 to numb the injury and will get another shot before Game 3 on Wednesday night.

It wouldn't be surprising if Boston places more pressure on Doncic, who averaged 31 points in Games 1 and 2. If other Mavericks start drilling threes, however, it would force the Celtics to back off of the 25-year-old guard, making his life much easier.