Jrue Holiday scored 26 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, while Jayson Tatum compensated for a tough shooting night with 12 assists and nine rebounds as the Boston Celtics beat the Dallas Mavericks 105-98 on Sunday night. This victory gives the Celtics a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals.

Luka Doncic’s Triple-Double

Luka Doncic, who was uncertain to play until just hours before the game due to various injuries, scored 32 points with 11 rebounds and 11 assists. 

This marked the first NBA Finals triple-double in Mavericks franchise history. However, his missed one-footed, running floater from three-point range with 28 seconds left dashed Dallas’ final hopes for a comeback.

Upcoming Games

Game 3 is set for Wednesday night in Dallas. The Mavericks need a win either in Game 3 or Game 4 on Friday to avoid a sweep and secure a return to the Boston Garden, where local fans are already anticipating their team’s 18th NBA championship banner. Historically, the Celtics have never lost a series after winning the first two games of the NBA Finals.

Contributions from Key Players

Jaylen Brown added 21 points for the Celtics, while Tatum scored 18 and Derrick White also contributed 18 points. 

Despite his shooting struggles, Tatum’s playmaking was crucial, finishing with 12 assists and nine rebounds. Kristaps Porzingis, despite limping through the game, chipped in with 12 points.

Celtics Overcome Shooting Woes

The Celtics faced challenges with their shooting, hitting only 10 of 39 from long distance. Tatum was particularly off, going 6 for 22 from the field and 1 of 7 from three-point range. 

The Celtics missed their first eight attempts from beyond the arc and hovered around 20% shooting for much of the game. Despite these struggles, they managed to maintain control and secure the win.

Mavericks’ Struggles

Kyrie Irving, who has been a polarizing figure for Celtics fans since his departure in 2019, scored 16 points but has now lost 12 consecutive games against his former team. 

The Mavericks struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 6 for 26 (23.1%) from three-point range. P.J. Washington added 17 points for the Mavericks.

Critical Moments

Peyton Pritchard’s half-court shot at the end of the third quarter extended Boston’s lead to 83-74, a critical momentum shift. Dallas cut the deficit to 103-98 with 1:15 left in the fourth quarter, but a crucial block by Derrick White on P.J. Washington, followed by a basket from Brown, sealed the game for the Celtics.

Doncic’s Heroics and Limitations

Doncic’s triple-double performance was impressive, but he struggled in the second half due to his injuries. He had 23 points in the first half but didn’t score his first points of the fourth quarter until there were just over a minute remaining. 

Additionally, he committed eight turnovers, reflecting the intense pressure and defensive effort from the Celtics.

Celtics’ Resilience

The Celtics showcased their depth and resilience, overcoming poor shooting and a formidable opponent. With Holiday leading the charge and Tatum finding ways to contribute despite his shooting woes, Boston demonstrated why they are a top seed and a formidable contender for the title.

Historical Context

The Celtics are now halfway to their first title since 2008 and their 18th overall, which would break their tie with the Los Angeles Lakers for the most championships in NBA history. 

Teams that win the first two games of the NBA Finals go on to win the series 86.1% of the time (31-5). The Celtics’ unbeaten playoff road record (6-0) this season adds to their confidence as they head to Dallas for Game 3.

The Celtics’ ability to rely on multiple players and adjust their strategy mid-game has put them in a strong position. As they prepare for the next games in Dallas, the Mavericks will need to find answers quickly to prevent Boston from running away with the series.

The information is taken from Yahoo Sports and Reuters