The Celtics won Game 2 of the NBA Finals despite shooting just 26 percent from three-point range, their second-worst shooting percentage of the season.
The Mavericks were even worse, connecting on just 6 of 26 attempts (23%).
The Mavs currently face an 0-2 deficit, but they’ll hold a 1.5-point home advantage when the series shifts to Dallas.
Luka Doncic had a great game in Game 2, recording a 32-point triple-double, but his teammates didn’t give him enough support in this series.
Doncic, who is nursing a chest injury, was fatigued and his eight turnovers were evident, highlighting the urgent need for Kyrie Irving to step up.
However, Irving averaged just 14 points and shot just 35 percent from the field in the Finals.
P.J. Washington was great for the Mavs, scoring 31 points and recording 15 rebounds in two games.
Although he didn’t make a three-point shot, he made an impact on defense and secondary scoring.
Expect the Mavs to come out desperate in Game 3.
Since 2006, teams that are 0-2 down in a series have posted 91-47 and 1 tie ATS in the first half (66 percent).
According to the Action Network, teams that lose by five or more points on the road and then play Game 3 at home are 110-64-6 with a draw (63%) ATS in the first half, and improve to 19-6 (76%) after the conference finals.
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While Boston has a good chance of winning Game 3 and completing the sweep, the historical trends in the first half are hard to ignore.
play: Mavericks win the first half/Celtics win the game (+450, DraftKings).
