Celtics Use Full Fleet of Defenders to Stifle Mavericks in Game 2 (105-98) | Lead Finals (2-0)
The Dallas Mavericks might have one of the best backcourts to ever play the game, but the Boston Celtics’ defensive lineup is abundantly deep. That looks to be the lead storyline in the 2024 NBA Finals after two games. Boston’s pesky defenders kept Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving under 100 points for the second straight outing Sunday night. Game 2 (105-98) was closer than Game 1, but Dallas hasn’t had a 20-point scorer not named Doncic in the first two Finals showings. The Celtics were out-rebounded (43-41) and out-shot (47.5%—45.2%) by the Mavericks last night. It didn’t matter. The C’s defensive fleet appears to have all the answers, even on a night where Doncic tallied a 30-point triple-double (the first in Mavs’ franchise history). Luka is clearly not 100 percent healthy, though. Kyrie Irving, on the other hand, is now 0-for-8 on 3s through two Finals games.
It’s 2-0 heading back to Dallas, and the Mavs will need to defend home or let the Finals slip. Teams who go up 2-0 in the NBA Finals go on to win the title 86% of the time.
Stat Sheet (Game 2)
L. Doncic (DAL): 32 pts, 11 reb, 11 ast, 4 stl
J. Holiday (BOS): 26 pts, 11 reb
J. Brown (BOS): 21 pts, 4 reb, 7 ast, 3 stl
J. Tatum (BOS): 18 pts, 9 reb, 12 ast
P. Washington (DAL): 17 pts, 7 reb
K. Irving (DAL): 16 pts, 6 ast
Watch: Celtics’ Defense Too Much for Mavericks in Game 2 (105-98)
NBA Finals (Game 3)
Celtics at Mavericks (Wed. 8:30 pm ET, ABC)
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