Key Questions from the NBA Finals between the Celtics and Maverick
The Boston Celtics have a 2-0 lead against the Dallas Mavericks following an intense back-and-forth game two in Boston, and history is now on their side. The Celtics have a 43-1 series record while leading 2-0 in a best-of-7 series (their only loss came in the 2018 East Finals). Teams who lead 2-0 in the Finals are 31-5 all-time.
The Mavericks, who are currently 5-3 in these playoffs, will now play Games 3 and 4 at the American Airlines Center.
The Mavericks had a great performance in Game 2 after a sluggish start in the series opener. They led 13–6 in the first quarter, their largest lead of the game, before Boston took control in the second quarter.
With 32 points, 11 assists, and 11 rebounds, Luka Dončić scored his seventh triple-double of the postseason, tying the record for the most triple-doubles in NBA playoff history. But Dallas’s attempts to even the series were hampered by his eight turnovers; the Mavericks will attempt to rally in Game 3 on Wednesday (8:30 PM ET, ABC).
Can Dallas turn this into a TV show?
Which changes were the most significant in Game 2? Following Game 2, our NBA gurus respond to the most frequently asked questions.
Which team’s biggest change from Game 1 to Game 2 was this one?
Dave McMenamin: Jayson Tatum went from a 6-for-16 shooting line in Game 1 to a 6-for-22 line when Boston put the ball in his hands. Tatum was a willing passer despite the fact that his shot wasn’t falling. What changed was that more shots were made by his teammates. Tatum recorded his best number of assists of the postseason on Sunday with 12, up from five on Thursday. Rue Holiday was a popular target for the Mavs, who went 10-for-13 with only three 3-point attempts. He found cutters to offset this pressure and sprayed it for 3-pointers to keep Dallas from packing the paint (the Celtics made just 10 3s after 16 in Game 1).
however because of their general equilibrium, it didn’t harm them.
Brian Windhorst:
The Celtics’ offseason deal of Kristaps Porzingis and Holiday was actually the largest change. The games didn’t really differ from one another. Though they are an incredibly well-rounded squad, Boston hasn’t shot effectively since the first quarter of Game 1 and didn’t shoot well on Sunday either. The Celtics’ margin for error has greatly improved with those two major arrivals. Clearly, Porzingis’s health will play a significant role in the series going forward.
Marc Spears:
Dončić finished the first half with 23 points after being considerably more aggressive from the opening. The pregame announcement that he was questionable suggested he wasn’t feeling any better, though perhaps it was the knee injury that kept him out of the game in the first place. Even so, Dončić made a lot of difficult one-handed baskets, but it’s obvious he needs Kyrie Irving and other players to support him in order to stay up with the Celtics’ offensive output. Is it appropriate to offer Tim Hardaway Jr. additional chances?
So far, whose player’s performance has surprised (or disappointed) the most?
McMenamin:
Because Derek Lively II missed Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals due to a neck issue, the Minnesota Timberwolves were able to win the series. His influence during the Mavs’ journey to the Finals was so great. With just four points in the first two games of this series, his impact has been neutralized so far. On Sunday, he once again appeared like a rookie when he stopped a Celtics fast break by saving the ball from going out of bounds and was stranded in no man’s land on defense after having too much possession.
Windhorst: Irving’s lack of rhythm may be attributed in part to the Celtics’ formidable guard play and long rim, which block his shooting opportunities. He has, however, also been slightly startled by the Celtics fan base. He made fun of them for not being as boisterous as he had anticipated after Game 1, and he was repeatedly seen interacting with fans during Game 2. He seemed to be a little lost in thought.
Spears:
It was shocking how much of an offensive explosion Holiday had in Game 2. I never imagined he would lead the Celtics in any Finals game in terms of scoring. It serves as a reminder of the defensive wizard’s excellence as a two-way player and the abundance of offensive options available to the Celtics.
It’s unsettling to consider for the Mavs’ defense.
If ___, this series is going to sweep?
The Celtics’ balanced offensive and defensive prowess will continue to dominate if the Mavericks are unable to consistently assist Dončić on both ends.
MacMenamin: The Mavericks’ in-home shooting is not going back to normal. Dallas just made three out of thirteen (24.5%) attempts from beyond the arc in the first and second games in Boston. This occurred following a playoffs where they averaged 12.3 three-pointers made per game. The Mavericks’ defense is doing a fantastic job of controlling the offense of the historically effective Celtics. But this will be a short series if their offensive doesn’t start putting up its end.
Windhorst: The Mavericks’ offense is being severely hindered by their inability to consistently make quality shots. The way the Celtics are handling Irving and Dončić up close is excellent; it’s a major luxury that drains Dallas’s offensive potential. Daniel Gafford’s pick-and-roll play in the third quarter gave the Mavericks additional opportunities to shoot from the rim, but they still need to find a couple more sets that will exert pressure on Boston.
Spears: A victory?
Dallas, who has a lot of potential, will be playing two games at home.
The series begins when a team loses at home, and in every series, Boston typically loses concentration in one game. Though I’m thinking about it, Dallas need to put up a fight.
