The Boston Celtics took a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals with a 105-98 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.  This was a bad loss for the Mavericks as the night’s when the Celtics can’t throw the ball in the ocean are the night’s you are supposed to beat them.  Failing to do so, even in Boston, can really come back to hurt Dallas’ chances.  With that said, it’s great that the Celtics are up 2-0 but this series is far from over.  The old saying goes “a series doesn’t stop until the home team loses”.  So far, all the Celtics have done is hold serve.  I like their chances to finish this off, but it’s anything but a foregone conclusion.     

The score was more competitive in game 2 but the game was the same.  The only difference between games 1 and 2 was the Celtics ability to hit their three pointers.  In game 1 they were 16 for 42 from deep for 38.1%.  In game 2 they were 10 for 39 for 25.6%.  Had they shot the same percentage they would have made 14 threes and scored 117 and they would have won by 19 again. 

One of the biggest culprits in the Celtics shooting woes was Sam Houser.  Houser was terrible shooting the ball in the Eastern Conference Finals.  He made both if his 3s in game 1 and I believe he had a toe on the line 2.  It seemed like he had found his shot again.  Game 2 however was a different story as he went 0-5.  The offense is based around moving the ball around to get open threes.  When it works, guys have to knock them down.  His history will probably keep Dallas from helping off of him more than anyone else so his slump shouldn’t hurt that bad but he really needs to knock down his open looks. 

Another big difference between the first two games was that the Celtics got away from guarding Luka one on one and living with the results.  He started the game hot and the Celtics reacted to it by helping more.  I am not a fan of this.  It allowed him to get 10 more assists in game 2 than game 1.  In game 2 Luka had 32 points and 11 assists.  One of those assists was on a three pointer.  That’s 55 out of 98 points that involved Doncic.  I know it’s hard when Luka gets going but they have to resist the urge to send more guys at him.  Especially in Dallas as their role players should shoot a lot better there.  He is not going to beat them on his own.  The way Dallas is going to win is if someone else gets hot.  Keeping that from happening should be the Celtics number 1 priority

Speaking of Luka doing it all on his own, Kyrie Irving has been pretty bad so far.  He only averaged 14 points a game in Boston, 11 below his season average.  He is shooting just 35.1% and is 0 for 8 on threes.  Unlike Boston, the Mavs don’t have a lot of guys who can light it up on any given night.  They need Kyrie to score.  Especially when Doncic is on the bench.   They just don’t have anyone else who can create their own shot.  At least not consistently.  Being in Boston may have had something to do with his shot not falling but a lot of it has to do with the Celtics defense.  Their length really seems to bother Kyrie when his is inside the 3-point line.  As long as the defender stays home and doesn’t fall for his move (and he has great moves) or up fakes, they can make it really difficult for Irving.  Whether or not Kyrie can get going will be a huge factor in the rest of this series. 

On the Celtics side of the ball, they just need to keep doing what they are doing.  And that is simple, go at Doncic.  His defense is worse than his offense is good.  Just keep going by him like he’s not there and get the Mavs defense in rotation.  Then all they have to do is hit the open shot.  Plus, what little effort Luka puts in on that end will help to tire him out.  He’s not the most fit guy in the league and with him being beat up, he is wearing down at the end of these games.   Hence the 1 for 6 in the 4^th quarter.  

Making the right play is what this team has been built on for years now.  With the personnel they have this season they are able to go all out with this philosophy.  This is why they have been so good.  It is also why it’s not a big deal that Jayson Tatum isn’t throwing in 30 a night.  Tatum has been playing great basketball aside from not shooting well.  He is making the right play and not forcing things trying to be the man.  As Tatum said in his post-game presser…” We’re so close to what we’re trying to accomplish. Why would I let my ego or my need to score all the points get in the way of that?” This is the unselfish team play you want from your best player.  Hopefully he hits a higher percentage of his shots but I love how well he is playing and hope he keeps it up. 

Now for the bad news.  While I was writing this the Celtics announced that Porzingis has torn his medial retinaculum allowing dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon in his left leg. I have no idea what that means but it does not sound good.  Kristaps is considered day-to-day and has said he will do everything he can to play tomorrow.  He was walking around with a sleeve on his leg and said only the team doctors can stop him from playing in game 3.  He said he doesn’t know if playing will risk further injury. 

Obviously, the Celtics are good enough to win this series without Porzingis, especially with them already half way there.  However, it will be a lot harder.  Dallas had very few answers for Porzingis.  The Celtics were a plus 25 in Kristaps 44 minutes in the first two games.  In the 52 minutes without him they are…. even.  So basically, Porzingis has been the difference in the series.  It’s not what you want.  However, I don’t believe this is the this is going to be crippling to the Celtics chase for banner 18.  But it did level the playing field.      

You have to believe the Mavs are going to play a lot better at home. If Porzingis can’t go they are going to get a big jolt of confidence. Not to mention the on court boost. The good news is the Celtics haven’t played their best. Tatum can shoot better. They all can shoot better than they did last game. And even without Kristaps their defense should be great. But if the Mavericks can pull out game 3, there is a chance the Celtics get into their own heads in a “Here we go again” situation. This series just got very interesting.