The Boston Celtics are only two more wins away from winning the 18th NBA championship, after they defeated the Dallas Mavericks 105:98 tonight at home and took a 2:0 lead in the final series of the playoffs.
The most effective player in the winning team was Jayru Holliday with 26 points and 11 rebounds. Jayson Tatum recorded a double-double performance with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Kristaps Porzingis added 12 points, while Derrick White with 18 points and a key block in the last minute took the title of hero from the shadows.
Slovenian national team player Luka Dončić led the Mavericks with an impressive triple-double performance of 32 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. PJ Washington scored 17 points and Kyrie Irving scored 16 points.
The third match between these two teams will be played on Wednesday, and the host will be Dallas.
Dallas opened the game much better and quickly gained a 13:6 advantage, thanks to a cheerful Luka Doncic. Boston still managed to catch the rhythm and by the end of the first quarter, Dallas controlled the situation on the field. As the game went on, the Celtics became more and more confident on both sides of the court, and at the end of the first half, Holliday took a 54:49 lead.
In the second half, the teams traded leads frequently, but Boston took a key lead in the final four minutes of the third quarter. Holliday and Tatum broke through the defense of Dallas, bringing a double-digit lead (75:63) three minutes before the end. The Celtics looked safe in the final quarter, although the Mavericks managed to cut the deficit to eight points with five minutes left in the game.
Dallas made several mistakes that Boston took advantage of, and a 9:0 run brought the guests closer to 103:98. However, the key moment came when Derrick White blocked a Washington shot, allowing Brown to seal the win for Boston.
The Celtics are now up 2-0 in the series and are one step away from winning the title. The third match promises a new dose of excitement, and Dallas will have a chance to get back into the game at home.