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

SAN FRANCISCO — Coach Jason Kidd blamed the Dallas Mavericks' one-dimensional offensive approach for blowing a 19-point lead in Friday's 126-117 loss to the Golden State Warriors, criticizing his team for relying too heavily on the 3-point shot during Game 2 of the Western Conference finals.

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, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. But Kidd specifically cited Dallas' shot selection in the third quarter, when the Mavs were held to 13 points and went 2-of-13 on 3s, as a major problem.

«When you go 2-for-13 and you rely on the 3, you can die by the 3,» Kidd said after the Warriors took a 2-0 series lead. «And we died in the third quarter by shooting that many 3s and coming up with only two.»

The Mavs made it to the West finals in large part due to their prolific 3-point shooting. They have thrived with superstar guard Luka Doncic orchestrating a five-out offensive attack, with catch-and-shoot reserve Maxi Kleber playing significantly more minutes than starter Dwight Powell at center throughout the postseason. Dallas leads the league in 3-pointers made (15.6 per game) and attempted (41.1) during these playoffs, shooting 37.9% from beyond the arc.

In their Game 1 blowout loss to the Warriors, the Mavs went 11-of-48 from 3-point range but Kidd encouraged his team that night to continue taking open looks. The Mavs built their big lead at the Chase Center on Friday night with scorching shooting, as they were 15-of-27 from 3-point range in the first half. Then the well went dry in the third quarter, when the Warriors outscored the Mavs by a 25-13 margin.

«I mean, we were getting great looks,» said Mavs