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NBA Finals: Jrue Holiday takes center stage as Celtics fend off Mavericks’ late rally to take 2-0 series lead

Photo of Eleon Eleon2 weeks ago
15 7 minutes read

The Dallas Mavericks bounced back from a Game 1 blowout Sunday night with a big game from Luka Dončić and an improved effort on the court.

It didn’t matter.

The Boston Celtics overcame poor shooting from 3 and Jayson Tatum to earn 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 prepares to move to Dallas for Game 3. According to ESPN, teams that take a 2-0 lead in the final are 31-5 (86.1%).

Jayson Tatum, left, ceded control of the Celtics' offense to Jrue Holiday during the Celtics' Game 2 victory on Sunday. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)Jayson Tatum, left, ceded control of the Celtics' offense to Jrue Holiday during the Celtics' Game 2 victory on Sunday. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Jayson Tatum, left, ceded control of the Celtics’ offense to Jrue Holiday during the Celtics’ Game 2 victory on Sunday. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Boston won Game 1 after opening the game with a 58-29 advantage in the second quarter and never let Dallas sniff the lead from there. Dallas appeared to be the stronger team early Sunday as Dončić took over with a 23-point effort in the first half. After scoring 12 points in the opener, Kyrie Irving had 10 by halftime as Boston had few answers for Dallas’ elite duo.

But the Celtics still managed to lead 54-51 at halftime by shooting 3 of 15 from long range. Then they turned the screw on defense to open the third quarter and take control of the game. Dallas’ turnovers – many of them by Dončić – were repeatedly converted into points on the other end.

The Celtics extended their lead to 83-74 in a third quarter capped by a miracle 3-pointer from backup point guard Payton Pritchard.

By the fourth quarter, Boston’s defense was in control and its 3-point shooting was back in shape. A 3-pointer by Derrick White extended the Celtics’ lead to 103-89 in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.

But Dallas wasn’t done. The Mavericks went on a late 9-0 run to cut the Celtics’ lead to 103-98 with 1:15 left. Then, with time ticking down in the final minute, Dallas threatened to reduce the game to just one possession. Derrick White had other ideas.

Derrick Jones Jr. blocked a Tatum layup at the rim to spark 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 alongside Holiday — chased down the play and blocked Washington from behind.

The block delayed the Mavericks’ rally and virtually ended the game. Boston scored at the other end and the Mavericks didn’t score again.

As Tatum struggled on the field, Holiday took the reins of the offense. The former All-Star and champion Milwaukee Bucks is a star player on a Celtics offense that can count on any of its starters and now sixth man Kristaps Porziņģis to take over each night. It was Holiday’s turn on Sunday, arguably his best offensive outing of the season.

Holiday kept the Celtics offense floating at halftime with 17 points. He finished the game with a team-high 26 points and 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 had another big effort after helping the Celtics to a 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 well-rounded effort showcasing his playmaking skills. He finished with 18 points, a game-high 12 assists and 9 rebounds.

On a night when Boston shot 10 of 39 from 3, White was a bright spot from long range on a 4 of 10 effort. He finished with 18 points, five rebounds, three steals and two blocks, including the decisive save in the last minute.

Dončić calmed down 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 shot 12 of 21 from the field and 4 of 9 from 3. But his eight turnovers helped Boston take control of the game.

Irving struggled in the second half after shooting 5 of 10 before halftime. He finished with 16 points and six assists while shooting 7 of 18 from the field. He missed all three of his 3-point attempts and has yet to make a 3-pointer in the series after shooting 0 of 5 in the opener.

And free throws once again cost Dallas dearly. The Mavericks left points at the line on a 16-of-24 effort while the Celtics made 19-of-20 attempts.

Game 3 on Wednesday will provide Dallas with the comforts of home that could help Irving’s shooting woes. But the Mavericks face an uphill climb with NBA history working against them as they look to make this a series.

LIVE COVERAGE IS COMPLETED44 updates

  • The final score is Boston 105, Dallas 98 as the Celtics take the series lead 2-0.

  • Huge block from Derrick White to preserve Boston’s lead.

  • Derrick White finally connects

    Derrick White has struggled with his shooting throughout these playoffs, but he made four huge 3s on a night where no other Boston player made more than two from distance. After a botched turnover by Dallas, the Celtics were in clear position with a 103-89 lead with 3:32 to play.

  • Kristaps Porzingis could be a storyline for the future

    Kristaps Porzingis, playing his second game since being out for more than a month with a sprained right soleus, didn’t look like himself in the second half. He briefly retired to the locker room before returning to the bench. Coming back into the game, he moved carefully around the field. The Celtics replaced him in favor of Al Horford in the final minutes of the game. What to watch for the rest of the series.

  • Slow Porzingis

    Kristaps Porzingis is injured or tired. Doesn’t move with nearly the same fluidity as in the first half.

  • Kyrie now takes control

    Kyrie really took the keys to Dallas’ creation here in the fourth. He has six points, he creates for others. Just found Daniel Gafford in transition for what marks the Mavs’ first lob against a big man of the entire series with 4:40 left in the fourth quarter of Game 2.

  • PJ Washington has not been connected

    Credit to PJ Washington for following up on his last miss, but he’s now 0 for 4 from deep after hitting his first triple. His lack of shooting prowess undermined an entire dimension of Dallas’ offense.

  • Luka takes a break

    A little break for Luka Doncic. Dallas got four points from Kyrie before the Celtics called a timeout, and Doncic returned after resting for about a minute.

  • Mavs short

    The Mavs’ struggles from the foul line still create a huge differential in favor of Boston. The Celtics are 17 of 18 from the line, and after Daniel Gafford is 1 of 2, Dallas is only 11 of 19 and faces a nine-point deficit.

  • Fourth quarter groove?

    These first few minutes of the fourth quarter are the first that feel like we had a rhythm or flow throughout the entire game.

  • Oh my God, Payton Pritchard!

    After the Celtics took an 80-67 lead, the Mavericks responded on a 7-0 run to close the third quarter… until Payton Pritchard drilled a 34-footer at the buzzer. Pritchard had a knack for making those shots in the playoffs. The Celtics lead 83-74 entering the fourth quarter.

  • The Mavs show off their pick-and-roll

    Derek Lively with a huge two-handed dunk on a Luka pick-and-roll. This was their most effective PnR in the series so far.

  • Celtics non-stars get it done – unlike Mavs role players

    Dallas gets nothing from its supporting cast. The Mavericks not named Luka Doncic or Kyrie Irving started 2 of 13 from the field and finished the first half with 18 points on 20 shooting. Meanwhile, Boston’s “others” are off to a slow start from Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who combined for 13 points on 14 shots in the first half. Everyone else on the Celtics scored 41 points on 25 shots. Boston leads at the break, 54-51.

  • Tatum the playmaker

    Tatum was exceptional as a willing passer. Up to 8 assists. He attacks the fences in an effort to create for others and he generated nearly half of Boston’s points even though he only scored five.

  • Tatum contributes in other ways

    Tatum doesn’t score, this and-1 was almost exasperated; but he has seven assists in the first half. This may be a record for him.

  • Jrue Holiday feels it

    Jrue Holiday was huge in keeping Boston in pace with the Dallas offense. Back cuts, powerful drives, a range of floats. He is the Celtics’ top scorer with 14 points.

  • Derrick Jones Jr. steps up

    Some huge contributions from Derrick Jones Jr. An offensive rebound and assist to cut Josh Green, finishes a sweet no-look pass from Luka, then steals a pass from Tatum and completes an and-1 to draw Tatum’s second foul.

  • Doncic does everything – except on the FT line

    Luka saw every type of shot in his bag fall tonight…except for his free throws as he is 2 of 5 from the line. We see him doing a lot of work in post-ups that we haven’t really seen from him in the playoffs, but Doncic has absolutely leaned on in past playoffs.

  • Jaylen Brown, who is on the microphone for the evening, has some encouragement for his team:

    “Whatever you do, do it with confidence,” Brown said. “Embrace the present moment. Breathe it.”

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News Source : sports.yahoo.com

Photo of Eleon Eleon2 weeks ago
15 7 minutes read
Photo of Eleon

Eleon

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