Mavericks' Dončić Battling Injuries in NBA Finals
Boston Takes 2-0 Lead
The Boston Celtics have taken a commanding 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals after defeating the Dallas Mavericks 105-98 in Game 2 at the Chase Center in San Francisco. The Celtics were led by Jayson Tatum's 28 points and 10 rebounds, while Luka Dončić paced the Mavericks with 26 points despite playing through several injuries.
Dončić's Injury Woes
Dončić has been dealing with a variety of injuries throughout the Finals, including a left thigh contusion, a left ankle sprain, and a right quadriceps strain. He has been listed as questionable for Game 3, which is scheduled for Tuesday night in Dallas.
Despite his injuries, Dončić has been a force on the court, averaging 33.5 points, 11 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game in the Finals. However, his injuries have clearly limited his mobility and explosiveness, and the Celtics have been able to take advantage of that.
Celtics Dominate Game 2
The Celtics controlled Game 2 from start to finish, leading by as many as 29 points in the third quarter. Jayson Tatum was aggressive from the start, scoring 15 points in the first quarter. Jaylen Brown added 17 points, while Marcus Smart and Al Horford each chipped in 14.
The Mavericks struggled offensively in the second half, shooting just 33% from the field after halftime. Dončić was held to just 10 points in the second half, and the Celtics' defense forced 12 Dallas turnovers.
Looking Ahead
The series now shifts to Dallas for Games 3 and 4. The Mavericks will need to find a way to slow down the Celtics' offense and get more production from their supporting cast. The Celtics, on the other hand, will look to continue their strong play and take a stranglehold on the series.
Comments