Before the Celtics’ Game 2 victory over the Mavericks in the NBA Finals, Dallas coach Jason Kidd stirred the pot by dubbing Jaylen Brown as Boston’s best player. However, it was Boston’s collective effort that shone through as they secured a 105-98 win.
In response to Kidd’s remarks, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla emphasized the importance of team unity, dismissing individual accolades in favor of a focus on Celtic basketball. Despite Brown’s notable performance with 21 points and Jayson Tatum’s 18 points along with 12 assists and nine rebounds, it was Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard who stole the show.
Holiday led the team with 26 points and 11 rebounds, while White’s emphatic block on P.J. Washington’s dunk attempt sealed the victory for Boston. Pritchard’s buzzer-beating 34-foot 3-pointer further contributed to the Celtics’ triumph.
Brown acknowledged the team’s depth and resilience, expressing confidence in their ability to execute the game plan effectively. As the series moves to Dallas for Game 3, Boston remains unfazed by the prospect of playing on the road, boasting a perfect 6-0 record away from home during the playoffs.
Meanwhile, Kidd hopes for a resurgence from guard Kyrie Irving, who has struggled with his shooting efficiency in the first two games of the Finals. Irving, who faced jeers from Boston fans due to his departure from the Celtics in 2019, acknowledges the need to elevate his performance offensively to support his team.
Despite Luka Doncic’s impressive triple-double for the Mavericks, including 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists, Boston remains focused on their collective effort as they aim to maintain their winning momentum on the road.
