But the Celtics still managed a 54-51 halftime lead while shooting 3-of-15 from long distance. Then they turned the screws on defense to open the third quarter and take control of the game. Dallas turnovers — many of them by Dončić — were repeatedly converted to points on the other end.
JB steal ➡️ Holiday layup!BOS seeks a 2-0 series lead with a Game 2 win on ABC ????#NBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV pic.twitter.com/4dVigy3kj2
— NBA (@NBA) June 10, 2024
The Celtics extended their lead to 83-74 in a third quarter that was capped by a miracle 3-pointer from backup point guard Payton Pritchard.
PAYTON PRITCHARD FROM DOWNTOWN TO BEAT THE 3Q BUZZER ????????#NBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV ???? Game 2 on ABC ???? pic.twitter.com/hF8eIT3sW9
— NBA (@NBA) June 10, 2024
By the fourth quarter, Boston's defense was in control, and its 3-point shooting was back to form. A Derrick White 3-pointer extended the Celtics lead to 103-89 in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter.
Derrick White for 3⃣ in the 4Q!BOS seeks a 2-0 series lead with a Game 2 win on ABC ????#NBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV pic.twitter.com/RfOfay6w9B
— NBA (@NBA) June 10, 2024
Dallas wasn't done, though. The Mavericks went on a late 9-0 run to trim the Celtics lead to 103-98 with 1:15 remaining. Then, as the clock ticked into the final minute, Dallas threatened to cut the game to a single possession. Derrick White had other ideas.
Derrick Jones Jr. blocked a Tatum layup at the rim to ignite a Dallas fast break. Irving then found P.J. Washington with a bounce pass for what looked like a layup to cut Boston's lead to 3. But White — an All-Defensive Team selection alongside Holiday — chased the play down and blocked Washington from behind.
DERRICK WHITE ???? pic.twitter.com/K40AaqRCTk
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) June 10, 2024
The block stunted the Mavericks' rally and all but ended the game. Boston scored on the other end, and the Mavericks didn't score again.
While Tatum struggled from the field, Holiday took the reins on offense. The former All-Star and champion with the Milwaukee Bucks is a featured player in a Celtics offense that can count on any of its starters and now-sixth man Kristaps Porziņģis to take over on any given night. It was Holiday’s turn Sunday in arguably his best offensive outing of the season.
Holiday floated the Celtics' offense at halftime with 17 points. He finished the game with a team-high 26 points and 11 rebounds alongside three assists, one steal and one block. He shot 11-of-14 from the field and 2-of-4 from 3.
Jaylen Brown posted another strong effort after helping lead the Celtics to victory in Game 1. He tallied 21 points, seven assists and three steals while shooting 8-of-15 from the field. Tatum overcame his poor shooting night (6-of-22, 1-of-7 from 3) with a well-rounded effort that featured his skills as a playmaker. He finished with 18 points, a game-high 12 assists and 9 rebounds.
