Following a 105-98 win, the Celtics are leaving Boston with a 2-0 series lead. Dallas started the first quarter much better than it did in game 1, leading 28-25 at the end of the period. However due to poor three-point and free-throw shooting, the Mavericks found themselves down 54-51 at halftime. While Dallas stayed relatively attached throughout the third and fourth quarters, the Celtics eventually pulled away in the last minutes of the game.
Though Jayson Tatum struggled, shooting 6/22 from the field, Boston received a balanced contribution from all their players. Jrue Holiday was the leading scorer for the Celtics, with 26 points while shooting 11-14 from the field. Along with his impressive offensive output, Holiday forced a key Mavericks turnover late in the fourth quarter and drilled a three-pointer immediately after.
Jaylen Brown’s 21 points and three steals, along with Derrick White’s 18 points and three steals, were significant contributions to the Boston win. With the Celtics holding a five-point lead and just a minute left in the game, White’s impressive chase-down block on P.J. Washington effectively sealed the game for Boston.
The Celtics’ depth of talent, both offensively and defensively, has proven to be a challenge for the Mavericks. The team’s ability to adapt and thrive, even when Jayson Tatum has a subpar shooting game, is a testament to their resilience and talent. In fact, Boston has maintained a perfect 6-0 record in this year’s playoffs when Tatum shoots below 40%.
Though Luka Doncic was questionable going into the game, he came out firing. Doncic finished the game with 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. One of his assists included a no-look dime to Derrick Jones Jr. cutting to the hoop.
Kyrie Irving had another bad shooting night, going 7/18 from the field and scoring 16 points. Dallas will need Irving to be more effective and efficient in shooting the ball if it wants to keep this series competitive. Daniel Gafford added 13 points with nine rebounds, and P.J. Washington had 17 points with three rebounds.
The Mavericks poor free-throw shooting has plagued them throughout this postseason, and the trend continued in game 2. They shot 16/24 from the free-throw line, while the Celtics shot 19/20. Considering Dallas lost the game by seven points, it can not afford to give up these freebies. Boston’s defense suffocated the Mavericks throughout the game, recording ten blocks and five steals, resulting in 15 Dallas turnovers.
The Mavericks must limit their turnovers, and prevent easy transition opportunities for the Celtics. Boston scored 21 points on Dallas turnovers, compared to the Mavericks 12. For a team as talented as the Celtics, Dallas can’t afford to give them wide-open dunks and layups.
If the Mavericks want to avoid going down 3-0, it is crucial that the wing players start knocking down their threes. P.J. Washington, Derrick Jones Jr., Josh Green, and Maxi Kleber are a combined 3/19 from beyond the arc in the series so far. The Celtics are aggressively helping off of the Dallas wing players, leaving them open most of the time. The Mavericks must start making the Celtics pay for daring them to shoot open threes.
After last night’s game, the Mavericks are down 0-2. Only five teams have come back from this deficit in 36 tries in NBA Finals history. However, Kyrie Irving did not seem fazed after the loss, telling Celtics fans, “See y’all for game five.”
While the Mavericks are headed home to Dallas for games 3 and 4, Boston has yet to lose on the road this postseason. The Celtics will look to sweep the Mavericks, while Dallas hopes to go back to Boston with the series tied at two games a piece.
