Game 2 of the NBA Finals resulted in a 105-98 victory for the Boston Celtics over the Dallas Mavericks, extending their lead to 2-0 in the series. Luka Dončić, despite playing with multiple injuries including a bruised chest, delivered a dominant performance with a 32-point triple-double. However, he struggled in the second half, scoring only 9 points. Dončić admitted that his turnovers and missed free throws cost his team the game.
On the other hand, Kyrie Irving continues to struggle, shooting 13-of-37 in the series and going 0-for-8 on 3s. Since leaving the Celtics in 2019, Irving’s teams have lost 12 straight games against Boston. These individual struggles from both Dončić and Irving are contributing to the Mavericks’ predicament.
Prior to Game 2, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd attempted to sow division among the Celtics by stating that Jaylen Brown was their best player, not Jayson Tatum. However, Tatum responded with a solid performance, recording 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 12 assists. Brown also had an impactful game with 21 points, 7 assists, and 3 steals. Their two-way contributions were instrumental in securing the victory for the Celtics.
Jrue Holiday was the leading scorer for Boston in Game 2, contributing 26 points on 11-of-14 shooting. His perimeter defense has been crucial in the Celtics’ game plan to contain Dončić and Irving, limiting their impact on the game. Derrick White, along with Brown, made a crucial defensive play in the fourth quarter that prevented a dunk from Dallas’ P.J. Washington and led to a layup for the Celtics.
Despite their overall success in Game 2, there is a concern surrounding Kristaps Porziņģis’ strained right calf injury. Porziņģis finished the game with 12 points but appeared to aggravate his injury in the fourth quarter. However, the Celtics remain confident that he will be fine for the next game.
The Celtics took control of the game in the third quarter, building a 13-point lead. Payton Pritchard’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer from the NBA Finals logo at the end of the third quarter was a pivotal moment and showcased his confidence in taking clutch shots.
The Mavericks’ struggles from beyond the arc were evident in Game 2, with all players except Dončić shooting a combined 2-of-17 from the 3-point line. This lack of scoring support for Dončić puts additional pressure on him to carry the team.
As the series heads to Dallas for Game 3, the Mavericks need to find a way to overcome their injury concerns and provide Dončić with more help on the offensive end. On the other hand, the Celtics must continue to rely on their balanced scoring and strong defensive efforts to maintain their advantage in the series.