It has been smooth sailing for the Celtics so far in the two games we’ve had in these Finals. Two unlikely heroes emerged in the form of Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday to lead them to a 2-0 lead. We are yet to have a quality game from Jayson Tatum, while Jaylen Brown has been decent and that tells you everything you need to know about this team. The depth they have is unreal, right now a total of 5 players on the roster are averaging at least 16 points per game which hasn’t happened since the 1980s. Game 3 will be their toughest assignment yet in this postseason, but the Cs have already won in Dallas once this year and with a win on Wednesday they have a chance to deliver the knockout punch. The only worry ahead of this game is the health of Porzingis who left Game 2 late with an undisclosed leg injury.
The level of concern if you’re a Mavericks fan is through the roof going into Game 3. The team is yet to clear 100 points in these Finals, aside from Luka Doncic nobody else has stepped up. You could argue that Doncic has been the best player in this series so far, but that is very little comfort for a team down 2-0 hoping to win its first title since 2011. The biggest issue Dallas is facing right now is Boston’s defense. Dereck Lively II has been very ineffective so far, that happens when the opponent takes away the lob threat he poses under the rim. Kyrie Irving also has to step up, the former Celtic is averaging just 14 points per game, that’s only 3rd on the team behind Doncic and P.J. Washington. Since stomping on the Celtics logo back in the 2021 postseason, Irving has now lost 12 straight games against Boston.
