Boston also wins game 2 against Dallas, taking a 2-0 lead in the final series. The hosts shoot terribly, but thanks to the defense led by Jrue Holiday (MVP of the game with 26 points) and Derrick White (18 with 4 triples) they manage to stop the Mavs, who are once again held under 100 points. Luka Doncic’s triple double of 32 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists isn’t enough for the Texans
WATCH GAME 2 IN REPLAY AT 11AM, 2PM, 4.30PM AND 7.15PM ON SKY SPORT NBA
It wasn’t the best match possible, but the Boston Celtics took home the result defending the field factor again e taking a 2-0 lead in the final series against the Dallas Mavericks. After a balanced first half, the hosts took control of the match in the third quarter led by an amazing Jrue Holiday, absolute MVP of the match with 26 points (second best performance of the season) and 11 rebounds shooting 11/14 from the field, making all the decisive plays in attack and defense. The Celtics managed to run away in the second half though terrible percentages from the arceventually finishing with 10/39 from long range but catching the wildcard of a triple from mid-court at the end of the third quarter by Payton Pritchard. The Mavs had a chance by sending PJ Washington on the break at -5 at the start of the last minute of the game, but the blocked in stereo by Derrick White and Jaylen Brown he closed the accounts definitively.
Holiday and White decisive, Tatum and Brown all-rounders
To put your signature on Celtics ninth consecutive playoff win (the last defeat dates back to game 2 of the second round against Cleveland) there aren’t many two “Jays”, when the pair of guards Holiday and White. The first is decisive both in attack and in defensemaintaining clarity even in the most frenetic moments of a very fragmented game (32 fouls called and 25 turnovers between the two teams) and being ready in times of need; the second was the only one accurate from distance (4/10 from three) for 18 points, 8 of which were essential in the fourth periodin addition to the usual defense (3 recoveries and 2 blocks). Tatum and Brown they took advantage of the attention of the opposing defense to free their teammates: 19 of the Celtics’ 29 team assists bear their signaturewith the first close to a triple double (18 points, 9 rebounds and 12 assists while shooting 6/22 from the field) and the second important despite the 6 turnovers (21 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals with 8/15 shooting). The hero of race 1 Kristaps Porzings had less of an impactbut still finished with 12 points and +12 plus-minus despite limping off the pitch at the end.
in-depth analysis
Pritchard: the decisive triple from mid-court. VIDEO
Doncic’s triple double isn’t enough, Dallas loses the first game-2
In these playoffs the Mavs had always won game 2 on the roadbut they fall for the first time thanks to an asphyxial attack when it is not the one who is dragging them Luka Doncic. The Slovenian, in doubt a few hours before the tap-off due to a bruise on his side which forced him to finish the warm-up with a noticeable compress on his body, Signed his first triple double in the Finals with 32 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists with 4 steals, doing what he wants especially in a 23-point first half. Then the Celtics defense begins to double him and he puts his teammates into rhythm (8 winning passes in the second half), but ends up short of breath by committing 8 turnovers out of the team’s 15. The problem, however, is that Kyrie Irving is hot (16 points and 6 assists but with 7/18 shooting) and the rest of his teammates, despite three starters in double figures (Washington 17, Gafford 13 and Jones 11) it is not effective, with the bench scoring just 9 points. A series does not begin until one of the two teams wins on the road, but if they want to reopen the Finals the Mavs need something completely different in game 3, scheduled for the night between Wednesday 12th and Thursday 13th at 2.30am, always live on Sky Sport.
