Jrue Holiday lifts Celtics to a 105-98 win in Game 2 of NBA Finals vs. Mavericks (2024)

Celtics

The Celtics are heading to Dallas with a 2-0 series edge.

By Conor Ryan

June 9, 2024

The Celtics are heading to Dallas with a 2-0 series edge.

Despite a rough shooting night from beyond the arc (10-of-39), Boston received contributions all across the roster en route to a 105-98 victory over the Mavericks in Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Finals on Sunday night.

Jrue Holiday led the way for Boston with 26 points and 11 rebounds, while Jaylen Brown added 21 points. Despite another off shooting night (6-of-22), Jayson Tatum carved up Dallas’ defense by driving into the paint — finishing with 18 points, nine rebounds and 12 assists.

The first half of Sunday’s showdown at TD Garden was a tight contest, with a steady stream of fadeaway shots from Luka Doncic (32 points) keeping Dallas afloat.

But after holding a slim 54-51 lead at halftime, the Celtics outscored Dallas, 29-23, in the third quarter — giving themselves some much-needed breathing room after Payton Pritchard sank a 34-foot, last-second heave.

Dallas continued to chip into Boston’s lead, with a 9-0 run making it a five-point game with under a minute to go in regulation. But Derrick White halted the run by blocking PJ Washington’s layup with 50.1 seconds to go, with Brown ending things with a layup on the next possession.

Game 3 of the NBA Finals will tip-off from Dallas on Wednesday night at 8:30 p.m.

LIVE UPDATES

10:27: Celtics win Game 2, 105-98.

10:25: Mavs reel off a 9-0 run to cut it to five, but PJ Washington is blocked by Derrick White. Jaylen Brown hits a layup to make it a 105-98 game.

10:18: Derrick White adds another 3-pointer. 103-89 Celtics with 3:32 to go.

10:18: Jrue Holiday with another 3-pointer. He’s been unbelievable in this game.

10:15: Porzingis is getting looked at during these final minutes of the game. Looks like his calf is getting worked on.

10:08: Paul Pierce is shown on the jumbotron — and he mimics raising a banner at TD Garden. That gets the crowd going.

9:55: Well, that’s one way to end the third quarter. Pritchard’s heave is good — giving Boston a 83-74 lead.

9:50: Porzingis looked a bit hobbled after landing awkwardly on the play right before Holiday’s layup. But the Celtics’ big man waves off trainers after the timeout.

9:48: Jrue Holiday converts a tough bucket and Boston has a 75-63 lead. A 10-0 run for the Celtics and they’re on the brink of blowing this game open.

9:46: Rough night for everyone on Dallas besides Doncic.

9:40: Jaylen Brown converts on a layup and Dallas calls a timeout. 69-63 Celtics with 4:56 to go in the third quarter.

Largest lead of the night for Boston.

9:36: This has been the deciding factor of the game so far. Very odd flow on offense from both teams.

9:31: Doncic going at it with Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck. Might not want to get Doncic started.

9:30: Jrue Holiday really has left his fingerprints all over this game.

9:18: The bad news? Tatum only shot 2-for-10 from the field in the first half.

The good news? He still had eight assists (one more than the whole Dallas team) and Boston holds a 54-51 lead at the half.

9:11: HALFTIME: Celtics hold a 54-51 lead over Dallas.

9:10: Jrue Holiday sinks the corner 3-pointer after Tatum drives inside and the veteran guard is fired up. He’s got 17 points in the first half.

9:06: A nice finish at the basket for Tatum leads to an and-one situation. Boston needs him to get going.

9:03: More Bruins in attendance for Game 2.

9:02: Celtics are still just 2-for-14 from 3-point range so far tonight. Getting plenty of looks inside, but Boston is at its best when it’s sinking shots beyond the arc.

8:53: Patriots great Matthew Slater is honored as the Celtics’ “Hero Among Us” for his work in the community.

8:49: Doncic now with the first seven points of the quarter for Dallas.

8:47: Doncic is clearly hampered with multiple injuries, heading down the tunnel at one point in the first quarter. But he’s back out to start the second quarter and just sank another two shots. He’s up to 20 points already.

8:46: Your scheduled Mike Gorman appearance.

8:41: END FIRST: Celtics trail the Mavericks, 28-25. Considering how poorly Boston has shot the ball out of the gate, the Celtics should be fine with a 3-point deficit.

8:40: Al Horford has Boston’s first 3-pointer of the night with just seconds to go in the first quarter. Boston missed its first three shots.

8:37: Brown’s defense has been sensational so far in this series.

8:36: Kyrie Irving motions for more jeers from the Garden crowd:

8:32: Celtics are 0-for-7 from 3-point range so far tonight.

8:31: Sure does feel like it’s going to be one of those games from Doncic (11 points) and Irving tonight. Celtics need to hit some of these open looks, especially those 3-pointers from Hauser.

8:24: Another day, another poster dunk from Jaylen Brown.

8:23: Bill Belichick in the house for Game 2.

8:23: Kristaps Porzingis checks in with 7:11 left in the first quarter.

8:20: Jeremy Swayman is also here for Game 2.

8:18: Can someone get a larger chair for Shaq?

8:14: Kyrie Irving hits a jumper as “Kyrie Sucks” chants rain down and has a few words for the crowd. 13-6 Mavs at the first commercial break. Irving and Doncic already with 10 points.

8:07: Game 2 is underway.

8:05: In a far from surprising development, loud boos once Kyrie Irving is introduced.

7:54: A thunderous applause from the Garden once Porzingis is introduced. A loud “Let’s Go Celtics” chant less than five minutes to go in warmups.

7:48: A ruthless response from this young Celtics fan.

7:45: As expected, Porzingis is set to come off the bench once again in Game 2:

7:40: TD Garden’s video board showcases Kyrie Irving’s quote about thinking the crowd was going to be a “little louder” in Game 1. As expected, loud boos followed.

7:20: Expect to see Paul Pierce all across TD Garden tonight for Game 2:

7:10: Kristaps Porzingis: A pretty popular guy during warmups.

7:00: Despite being listed as questionable for Game 2 due to a thoracic contusion, Luka Doncic will indeed play tonight. Jason Kidd noted ahead of the game that Doncic, who is also dealing with a right knee sprain and left ankle soreness, suffered the contusion in Game 1.