The key queries following Game 2 of the NBA Finals between the Celtics and Mavericks

After a thrilling back-and-forth Game 2 in Boston, the Boston Celtics jumped out to a 2-0 lead against the Dallas Mavericks, and history is now on their side. The Celtics have a 43-1 series record when leading a best-of-7 2-0; their only defeat came in the 2018 East finals.

The Mavericks, who are currently 5-3 in these playoffs, will now go to American Airlines Centre for Games 3 and 4.
The Mavericks came out swinging in Game 2, after a sluggish start in the series opener. They led 13–6 at the first quarter, their biggest lead of the game, until Boston pulled ahead in the second.

Luka Doncic recorded his eighth triple-double of the postseason with a final line of 32 points, 11 assists, and 11 rebounds; this ties him for the second most in NBA playoff history. However, Dallas’ attempts to tie the series were hampered by his eight turnovers; the Mavericks will attempt to recover on Wednesday in Game 3 (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC).

Can Dallas turn this into a TV show? Which modifications were the most significant in Game 2? Following Game 2, our NBA gurus respond to the most frequently asked questions.

Which change did either side make the most between Game 1 and Game 2?

Dave McMenamin: Though his shooting wasn’t falling, Boston managed to keep the ball in Jayson Tatum’s hands, and he continued to be a willing passer, finishing the game 6-for-22 after finishing the first game 6-for-16. All his teammates did was make more shots. Tatum recorded his highest number of assists this postseason on Sunday (12), up from five on Thursday. In order to keep Dallas honest from packing the paint (the Celtics hit just 10 3s after 16 in Game 1, but it didn’t hurt them because of their overall balance), he picked apart the Mavs’ on-ball pressure by finding cutters (Jrue Holiday was a favourite target—going 10-for-13 with only three 3-point attempts) and spraying it out for 3.

Brian Windhorst: The Celtics’ offseason trades of Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis were the biggest change. The games didn’t really differ from one another. Boston is just an incredibly well-rounded squad, but they haven’t shot well since the first quarter of Game 1 and didn’t shoot well on Sunday either. The Celtics now have a far larger margin of error thanks to those two significant additions. Obviously, a major issue in the series going ahead will be Porzingis’ health.

Marc Spears: Doncic ended with 23 points in the half after playing with considerably more aggression right away. The pregame announcement that he was questionable suggests he’s not feeling well, however it might have been his knee that prevented him from playing in Game 1. Even so, Doncic made a number of difficult one-legged jumpers. However, it’s clear that Doncic needs assistance from Kyrie Irving and other players in order to stay up with the Celtics offensively. Is Tim Hardaway Jr. deserving of more respect?

So far, whose player’s performance has surprised (or disappointed) the most?

McMaster: Dereck Lively II’s contribution to the Mavericks’ run to the Finals was so great that it was highlighted when he was sidelined for Game 4 of the Western Conference finals due to a neck issue, allowing the Minnesota Timberwolves to win the series. Despite only scoring four points in the first two games of this series, his impact has been neutralised. However, on Sunday, he displayed signs of being a rookie, as evidenced by his spectacular save of a ball that was about to go out of bounds, which sparked a Celtics fastbreak, and his tendency to get caught in foul territory when playing defence.

Irving is the windhorst. The Celtics’ combination of long rim players and formidable guards has constricted his shooting windows, which has caused him to lose his excellent rhythm. But he has also given the Celtics fans a small bow. After Game 1, he made fun of them for not being as loud as he had anticipated, and in Game 2, he was seen flirting with supporters several times. He seemed rather self-absorbed.
Spears: It was shocking how much of an offensive explosion Holiday had in Game 2. I never thought he would be the Celtics’ top scorer in any Finals contest. It’s just a reminder that the Celtics have an arsenal of offensive weapons and that the defensive guru is a top player on both ends. Unsettling idea for the Mavs’ backcourt.

If ___, this series is going to sweep?

McMaster: At home, the Mavs’ shooting does not revert to its average. In Games 1 and 2 in Boston, Dallas shot just 13-for-53 from three (24.5%); this is in contrast to their postseason average of 12.3 made threes per game entering Sunday. The Mavericks’ defence is playing a great job of containing the typically effective Celtics offence. However, this will be a short series if their offence doesn’t start keeping up its part.

Windhorst: The Mavericks’ offence is suffering because they are struggling to make quality shots. The Celtics are handling Irving and Doncic brilliantly up front, which is a huge luxury that is completely draining Dallas’ offensive potential. Daniel Gafford’s pick-and-roll play in the third quarter gave the Mavericks a few more opportunities to attack the hoop, but they still need to find a few more sets that will put Boston under any pressure.

Spears: Do you like it? Dallas is sending two games home because they are too talented. A club must lose at home before the series begins, and Boston typically loses concentration in one game of each series. I’m open to the idea, but Dallas needs to put up some resistance, right?