The Dallas Mavericks bounced back from a Game 1 blowout on Sunday night with a big game from Luka Dončić and a better effort from the field.
I do not care.
The Boston Celtics overcame poor shooting from 3-point range and Jayson Tatum to secure a 105-98 victory in Game 2 of the NBA Finals. Jrue Holiday led Boston’s offense with one of his best outings of the season. The Celtics now hold a 2-0 series lead as the series moves to Dallas for Game 3. According to KeynoteUSA, teams that take a 2-0 lead in the Finals have a record of 31-5 (86 ,1%).
Jayson Tatum, left, ceded control of the Celtics offense to Jrue Holiday in the Celtics’ Game 2 victory on Sunday. (Maddie Meyer//Keynote USA/Getty Images)
Boston won Game 1 after opening the game with a 58-29 lead in the second quarter and never letting Dallas sniff the lead from there. Dallas looked like the stronger team early Sunday when Dončić took control with a 23-point first-half effort. After scoring 12 points in Game 1, Kyrie Irving scored 10 at halftime as Boston had few answers for Dallas’ elite defensive duo.
But the Celtics still built a 54-51 halftime lead while shooting 3 of 15 from long range. They then tightened the screws on defense to open the third quarter and take control of the game. Dallas turnovers, many of them by Dončić, were repeatedly turned into points at the other end.
The Celtics extended their lead to 83-74 in a third quarter that was capped by a miracle three-pointer by backup point guard Payton Pritchard.
In the fourth quarter, Boston’s defense was in control and their three-point shooting came back into shape. A three-pointer by Derrick White extended the Celtics’ lead to 103-89 in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.
Derrick White’s late block seals Celtics’ victory
But Dallas wasn’t done yet. The Mavericks went on a late 9-0 run to cut the Celtics’ lead to 103-98 with 1:15 left. Then, as the clock ticked down in the final minute, Dallas threatened to cut the game to one possession. Derrick White had other ideas.
Derrick Jones Jr. blocked a Tatum layup at the rim to start a Dallas fast break. Irving then found PJ Washington with a bounce pass for what looked like a layup to cut Boston’s lead to 3. But White, an all-defensive team selection along with Holiday, chased down the play and blocked Washington from behind.
The block stunted the Mavericks’ recovery and nearly ended the game. Boston scored at the other end and the Mavericks did not score again.
Holiday takes star turn in Game 2
While Tatum struggled from the field, Holiday took the reins of the offense. The former All-Star and champion with the Milwaukee Bucks is a standout player in a Celtics offense that can count on any of its starters and now sixth man, Kristaps Porziņģis, to take over on any given night. It was Holiday’s turn Sunday in arguably his best offensive outing of the season.
Holiday floated the Celtics offense at halftime with 17 points. He finished the game with 26 points and a team-high 11 rebounds, along with three assists, a steal and a block. He shot 11 of 14 from the field and 2 of 4 from 3.
Jaylen Brown turned in another strong effort after helping lead the Celtics to victory in Game 1. He had 21 points, seven assists and three steals while shooting 8 of 15 from the field. Tatum overcame his poor shooting night (6 of 22, 1 of 7 from 3) with a complete effort that highlighted his abilities as a playmaker. He finished with 18 points, 12 assists and 9 rebounds.
On a night in which Boston went 10-for-39 from 3, White was a bright spot from long range with a 4-for-10 effort. He finished with 18 points, five rebounds, three steals and two blocks, including the stop that sealed the game. game in the last minute.
Dončić TO, Irving’s shooting woes sink Mavericks
Dončić cooled off after his 23-point first half as Boston’s defense took control. He finished with a triple-double of 32 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds. He had four steals and was 12 of 21 from the field and 4 of 9 from 3-point range. But his eight turnovers helped Boston take control of the game.
Irving struggled in the second half after going 5 of 10 before halftime. He finished with 16 points and six assists while making 7 of 18 field goals. He missed all three of his 3-point attempts and has yet to make a 3-pointer in the series after going 0 for 5 in Game 1.
And the free throws cost Dallas dearly again. The Mavericks left points at the line in a 16-of-24 effort while the Celtics were 19-of-20 shooting.
Wednesday’s Game 3 will give Dallas the comforts of home that could help Irving’s shooting woes. But the Mavericks face an uphill road with NBA history working against them as they look to make this a series.
LIVE COVERAGE EXCEEDS 44 updates
- Sunday June 9, 2024 at 7:51 pm MST
The final score is Boston 105, Dallas 98 as the Celtics take a 2-0 series lead.
- Sunday June 9, 2024 at 7:29 pm MST
Huge block by Derrick White to maintain Boston’s lead.
- Sunday June 9, 2024 at 7:21 pm MST
Derrick White finally connects
Derrick White has struggled with his shot throughout these playoffs, but he’s hit four huge 3-pointers on a night when no other Boston player has hit more than two from deep. After a sloppy Dallas turnover, the Celtics are in a clear lead 103-89 with 3:32 left.
- Sunday June 9, 2024 at 7:19 pm MST
Kristaps Porzingis could be a story in the future
Kristaps Porzingis, playing in his second game since missing more than a month with a right soleus injury, didn’t look like himself in the second half. He briefly retreated to the locker room before returning to the bench. Upon re-entering the game, he moved cautiously on the court. The Celtics replaced him with Al Horford in the final minutes of the game. Something to monitor as the series continues.
- Sunday June 9, 2024 at 7:16 pm MST
Porzingis slow
Kristaps Porzingis is hurt or tired. He didn’t move nearly as fluidly as he did in the first half.
- Sunday June 9, 2024 at 7:16 pm MST
Kyrie now takes control
Kyrie really took the keys to Dallas’ creation here in the fourth. He has six points, he is creating for others. I just found Daniel Gafford in transition for what marks the Mavs’ first lob to a big man in the entire series with 4:40 left in the fourth quarter of Game 2.
- Sunday June 9, 2024 at 7:13 pm MST
PJ Washington has not scored
You have to give PJ Washington credit for following through on his latest mistake, but he’s now 0-for-4 from deep after hitting his first 3-pointer. His lack of shooting prowess has undermined an entire dimension of Dallas’ offense.
- Sunday June 9, 2024 at 7:12 pm MST
The Celtics play the old Paul Pierce hype video on the Jumbotron, then show Pierce in the front row, where he pretends to hold up a championship banner. Should be a fun ending to Game 2.
-Ben Rohrbach (@brohrbach) June 10, 2024
- Sunday June 9, 2024 at 7:09 pm MST
Luka takes a breath
A brief respite for Luka Doncic. Dallas got four points from Kyrie before the Celtics called a timeout, and Doncic is back after resting for about a minute.
- Sunday June 9, 2024 at 7:05 pm MST
Mavs fall short
The Mavs’ struggles from the foul line continue to create a huge difference in Boston’s favor. The Celtics are 17 of 18 from the line, and after Daniel Gafford goes 1 of 2, Dallas is just 11 of 19 and facing a nine-point deficit.
- Sunday June 9, 2024 at 7:03 pm MST
Fourth quarter streak?
These first minutes of the fourth quarter are the first that I have felt that they have had rhythm throughout the game.
- Sunday June 9, 2024 at 6:58 pm MST
Oh my god, Payton Pritchard!
After the Celtics built an 80-67 lead, the Mavericks responded with a 7-0 run to close the third quarter… until Payton Pritchard hits a 34-footer at the buzzer. Pritchard has had a knack for those shots in the playoffs. The Celtics lead, 83-74, entering the fourth quarter.
- Sunday June 9, 2024 at 6:36 pm MST
The Mavs show their pick-and-roll
Dereck Lively with a huge two-handed dunk after a Luka pick-and-roll. That was his most effective PnR of the series so far.
- Sunday June 9, 2024 at 6:28 pm MST
Celtics non-stars make it, unlike Mavs role players
Dallas gets nothing from its supporting cast. The Mavericks, who were not named Luka Doncic or Kyrie Irving, started by making 2 of 13 shots from the field and finished the first half with 18 points on 20 shots. Meanwhile, Boston’s “others” are getting off to a slow start in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who have combined for 13 points on 14 shots in the first half. Every other Celtics player has scored 41 points on 25 shots. Boston leads at halftime, 54-51.
- Sunday June 9, 2024 at 6:12 pm MST
Tatum the playmaker
Tatum has been exceptional as a willing passer. Up to 8 assists. He is attacking closeouts with the goal of creating for others and has generated almost half of Boston’s points even while scoring only 5 of his own.
- Sunday June 9, 2024 at 6:09 pm MST
Tatum contributing in other ways
Tatum is not scoring, that and-1 was almost exasperated; but he does add seven assists in the first half. Maybe that’s a record for him.
- Sunday June 9, 2024 at 6:08 pm MST
Jrue Holiday is feeling it
Jrue Holiday has been huge in keeping Boston up to speed with Dallas’ offense. Back cuts, powerful thrusts, a variety of floaters. He is the Celtics’ leading scorer with 14 points.
- Sunday, June 9, 2024 at 6:00 pm MST
Derrick Jones Jr. steps forward
Some huge contributions from Derrick Jones Jr. An offensive rebound and assist to cut off Josh Green, finishes a sweet no-look pass from Luka, then steals a pass from Tatum and finishes an and-1 to draw Tatum’s second foul.
- Sunday June 9, 2024 at 5:58 pm MST
Doncic does everything except on the FT line
Luka had every type of shot in his bag tonight…except his free throws, as he went 2-for-5 from the line. We’re seeing him work a lot on post-ups that we haven’t really seen him do this postseason, but Doncic has been absolutely confident in past playoffs.
- Sunday June 9, 2024 at 5:54 pm MST
Jaylen Brown, who is on microphone for the night, encourages his team:
“Whatever you do, do it with confidence,” Brown said. “Embrace the moment. Breathe into it.”
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