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Celtics Dominate as Series Heads to Dallas
BOSTON — The Boston Celtics secured a 105-98 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday night, taking a commanding 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals. This win brings the Celtics one step closer to their unprecedented 18th championship as the series shifts to Dallas for Games 3 and 4.
Key Performances Propel Boston
Jrue Holiday led the Celtics with 26 points and 11 rebounds, while Derrick White’s critical chase-down block helped seal the win. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown contributed significantly with their passing and defense, further showcasing Boston’s depth.
“I’m really tired of hearing about one guy or this guy or that guy and everybody trying to make it out to be anything other than Celtic basketball,” Boston coach Joe Mazzulla said. “Everybody that stepped on that court today made winning plays on both ends of the floor.”
Tatum and Brown Step Up
Despite a rough shooting night, Tatum managed to rack up 12 assists, nine rebounds, and 18 points. Brown added 21 points and three steals. White chipped in with 18 points and three steals, while Peyton Pritchard’s banked half-court shot at the third-quarter buzzer extended Boston’s lead to 83-74.
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Doncic Makes History, but Mavericks Fall Short
Luka Doncic made history by recording the first NBA Finals triple-double in Mavericks franchise history with 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. Despite his efforts, including a three-point play in the final minutes, Dallas couldn’t overcome Boston’s defense.
“They have a lot of great players. Basically, anybody can get off,” Doncic said, acknowledging the Celtics’ depth and skill.
Critical Moments and Defensive Plays
Late in the fourth quarter, Derrick Jones Jr. blocked Tatum’s dunk attempt, but White and Brown chased down the court to block P.J. Washington’s potential dunk. Brown then made a layup, and Doncic missed a one-footed running floater from three-point range with 28 seconds left, ending Dallas’ last chance for a comeback.
“Luka is a special player — if not the best player in the world — and he causes a problem,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. “He’s able to create open opportunities and we just didn’t take advantage of them.”
Looking Ahead to Dallas
Games 3 and 4 are set for Wednesday and Friday in Dallas. The Celtics, unbeaten on the road this postseason, aim to continue their winning streak, while the Mavericks need to defend their home court to avoid a sweep and force the series back to Boston.
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