The Boston Celtics took a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals on Sunday as they held on to defeat the Dallas Mavericks 105-98 in Game 2.
The Celtics survived a 9-0 run by the Mavericks late in the fourth quarter, which cut their lead to five points. Dallas had a chance to cut it to three points after a steal by PJ Washington. But Derrick White and Jaylen Brown ran to stop Washington's shot.
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Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives to the basket against Dallas Mavericks forward PJ Washington (25) during the first half of Game 2 of the NBA Finals basketball series, on Sunday, June 9, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Brown followed with a key layup to go up seven points.
It would be all the Celtics would need to defend their home court.
Brown scored 21 points, seven assists, four rebounds and three steals in the victory. He played 42 minutes. Jrue Holiday led the way with 26 points and 11 rebounds.
Jayson Tatum nearly gave Boston a triple-double. Even when he was 6 of 22 from the field, he still managed to score 18 points, dish out 12 assists and grab nine rebounds.
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) pressures Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic, front right, during the first half of Game 2 of the NBA Finals basketball series, on Sunday, June 9, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
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Dallas shot 47.5% from the field but just 23.1% from 3-point range. But his 15 turnovers, especially late in the game, made the difference.
Luka Doncic, playing through a litany of injuries, had 32 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. He was 12 of 21 from the field and 4 of 9 from deep. But Doncic had a turnover as the team rushed to get the ball up the court, which thwarted some of his momentum.
Washington scored 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 the NBA Finals basketball series against the Dallas Mavericks, Sunday, June 9, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
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Dallas will have to regroup and recharge when the series returns to the American Airlines Center on Wednesday night.
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