Even if Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are superstars, the Celtics are first and foremost a collective, and that's what makes the difference after two rounds. Winners last night 105-98 in the second round, Boston finished the game with six of its eight players at 10 points or more, and the best scorer this time is Jrue Holiday with 26 points on 11 of 14 shots, and 11 rebounds and 3 assists.
We will especially remember his 9 out of 10 at 2-points, at the heart of the racket. Or the fact that he is the first player since Tim Duncan in 2013 to finish a Finals game with at least 25 points and 10 rebounds without losing a single ball. He is only the 9th player to finish a final with at least 25 points and 10 rebounds on 75% shooting. But the first without losing a ball.
“Frankly, I just took advantage of the opportunities” answers Jrue Holiday about his 26 points and his shooting skills. “I would say it has a lot to do with Jayson (Tatum)’s work. They take him together, and he made the right move. I don't know if he finished with a triple-double (editor's note: just one rebound…) but we owe him everything tonight in the way we played, the way he found us in the paint or out of sight from afar. »
An interception that hurts a lot
In attack, the All-Star leader therefore came close to perfection since he did not lose a ball, but he also punished the defense with his science of placement, reading the movements of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to better trap the Mavericks at their back. And what about his defense and his decisive actions. Like Derrick White, Jrue Holiday stunned the Mavericks' comeback attempts in money time. There is this interception on Luka Doncic, but also this big 3-pointer which restores an 11-point lead while Dallas had fallen below the 10-point mark.
“It’s about being consistent and sticking to our game plan” explains the former Bucks point guard about this 4th quarter, which turned into “runs”. “We knew they were going to score points. We knew they would go to the throw line. It’s just about staying solid and not deviating from the game plan.”
Author of only one interception, but so decisive since it transformed into a 3-pointer from Derrick White, Jrue Holiday returns to the Celtics defense on Kyrie Irving, limited to 7 of 18 shots.
“We simply show him that we are there physically. There are several of us who appear in front of him. But at the same time, you have to be able to cover the 3-point line.” concludes the former Bucks player.
