BOSTON, MA — The Dallas Mavericks fell to the Boston Celtics 105-98 in the NBA Finals Game 2 on Sunday night. A triple-double from Mavs’ guard Luka Doncic was not enough for Dallas to even the series. Fellow teammate Kyrie Irving refused to let Doncic take the blame after the loss.
The Mavs kept the game close with the Celtics through three quarters, but turnovers and missed shots from Dallas allowed Boston to build a 12-point cushion in the final four minutes. Doncic finished with 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists but also had eight turnovers. He commented on his turnovers after the game.
"I think my turnovers and my missed free throws cost us the game," Doncic said. “So, I've got to do way better in those two categories. But at the end of the day, we've got to make shots to win the game.”
Doncic scored 23 of his 32 points in the first half. Boston locked him down in second, and fellow superstar Kyrie Irving never managed to pick up the slack. Irving was integral to the Mavs’ victory over Minnesota in the Western Conference finals, averaging over 30 points per game in the four wins. Against Boston, he scored 12 points in Game 1 and 16 in Game 2. If Dallas intends to turn this series around, Irving must step up his game.
“I would take the brunt of the responsibility. The first two games weren't the best for me,” Irving said after Game 2.
2024 NBA Finals: Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics
(Credit: si.com)
Irving had a hot start in the 1st quarter on four of five shooting but quickly cooled off after that.
"A little disappointed in myself not being able to convert a lot more on my opportunities that I have in the lane,” Irving continued. “Obviously, I'm going against Jrue Holiday and Jaylen Brown a few times, but I feel like I have the upper edge on certain possessions where I've just got to convert.”
While the loss isn’t the end of the world for the Mavericks in the NBA Finals, the lack of production from Irving down the stretch is cause for concern. The Mavs’ two superstars have a chance to get back on track in Game 3—the Finals head to Dallas on Wednesday, June 12. Tip time is set for 7:30 p.m.
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