The Boston Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks 105-98 in Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Sunday to take a 2-0 series lead.
The Celtics withstood a 9-0 run by the Mavericks late in the fourth quarter to cut the lead to five points. Dallas had a chance to get within three on a P.J. Washington steal, but Derrick White and Jaylen Brown rushed to block Washington’s shot.
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Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives to the basket against Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (25) during the first half of Game 2 of an NBA Finals basketball series in Boston, Sunday, June 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Stephen Sene)
Brown then made it seven with a clutch layup.
That may be all the Celtics need to defend their home court.
Brown had 21 points, seven assists, four rebounds and three steals in 42 minutes. Jrue Holiday led the team with 26 points and 11 rebounds.
Jayson Tatum nearly had a triple-double for Boston, finishing with 18 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds despite shooting just 6-of-22 from the field.
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) pressures Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (right front) during the first half of Game 2 of an NBA Finals basketball series, Sunday, June 9, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Stephen Sene)
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Dallas shot 47.5 percent from the field and just 23.1 percent from 3-point range, but its 15 turnovers, especially late in the game, were the deciding factor.
Luka Doncic, playing through a number of injuries, finished with 32 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists while shooting 12-of-21 from the field and 4-of-9 from deep, but Doncic’s turnovers as the team rushed to get the ball up the court dented some of the momentum.
Washington had 17 points and seven rebounds. Kyrie Irving added 16 points and six rebounds.
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown questions a call during the first half of Game 2 of their NBA Finals basketball series against the Dallas Mavericks, Sunday, June 9, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Stephen Sene)
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Dallas will need to regroup and re-prepare as the series returns to the American Airlines Center on Wednesday night.
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