The Boston Celtics threw the first punch, and it was a big one.
The Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks 107-89 in Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals with a balanced attack led by Jayson Tatum (16 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists) and Jaylen Brown (22 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, 3 blocks).
Playing for the first time since April 29, Kristaps Porzingis became the first player in NBA Finals history to record 20 or more points, six or more rebounds and three or more blocks in under 22 minutes of playing time.
The Mavericks finished with their lowest scoring record of the upcoming playoffs but will try to avoid any big holes and bounce back before the series shifts to Dallas for Games 3 and 4.
USA TODAY Sports brings you the latest updates and highlights from Game 2 of the NBA Finals.
Mavericks take early lead
Luka Doncic may be nursing an injury, but that hasn't held him back from making an impact on games.
Doncic scored six points and Dallas got off to a strong start, leading 13-6 nearly four minutes into Game 2. The Mavericks made three straight shots, Kyrie Irving made a difficult step-back jump shot and Joe Mazzulla was forced to take an early timeout. The former Celtics guard has been hearing it from the Boston crowd throughout this series, and after he made the shot, he addressed the crowd: — Jordan Mendoza
NBA Finals Game 2 Uniform
The Boston Celtics will wear black “Statement Edition” uniforms instead of their traditional white home uniforms, while the Mavericks will wear white “Association Edition” uniforms.
NBA Finals Game 2 Referee
The umpires for Sunday's game will be Tony Brothers, John Goble and Bill Kennedy.
When is Game 2 of the NBA Finals?
Game 2 of the NBA Finals is scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 9th at 8pm ET at TD Garden in Boston.
How to watch Game 2 of the NBA Finals
ABC will broadcast every game of the 2024 NBA Finals.
How to stream Game 2 of the NBA Finals
Every game of the 2024 NBA Finals will be streamed on ESPN+ or Fubo.
NBA Finals Game 2 starting lineup: Luka Doncic for the Mavericks
Though listed as questionable due to multiple health issues (sore left ankle, sprained right knee and now a chest contusion), Mavericks star Luka Doncic has been named in the starting lineup for Game 2 against Boston.
Center Al Horford will remain in Boston's starting lineup, and Kristaps Porzingis, who missed more than a month of the playoffs with a right calf injury but returned and scored 20 points in Game 1, will continue to come off the bench.
Mavericks starting lineup:
- Luka Doncic
- Kyrie Irving
- Derrick Jones Jr.
- Daniel Gafford
- P.J. Washington
Celtics starting lineup:
- Jaylen Brown
- Jayson Tatum
- Al Horford
- Derrick White
- Jrue Holiday
Will Mavericks star Luka Doncic play tonight?
Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic is listed as questionable for Game 2 on Sunday night due to multiple medical issues, including a sore left ankle, a sprained right knee and a chest contusion.
“We'll see how he feels in warmups and then we'll make a decision,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said.
Although it's questionable, it would be a shock to see Doncic not play.
Doncic has been bothered by knee and ankle issues for much of the playoffs, and Kidd said he suffered a chest contusion while diving for a loose ball and taking a charge during Boston's Game 1 win on Thursday.
“If he's out, we're prepared to go without him and use the next guy,” Kidd said. “If he does play, the game plan won't change.” Jeff Zillgitt
NBA Finals Game 2 Mavericks vs Celtics odds
Odds via BetMGM:
Money Line
- Mavericks: +220
- Celtics: -275
Spread the word
Over Under
- Over 214.5: -115
- Below 214.5: -105
NBA Finals Game 2 Mavericks vs Celtics Predictions
Here's how NBA writers and editors predict Game 2 will play out:
Scooby Axson
- Celtics 110, Mavericks 105
Heather Tucker
- Celtics 103, Mavericks 99
Dan Wolken
- Celtics 112, Mavericks 103
Jeff Zillgitt
- Celtics 111, Mavericks 107
NBA Finals Odds
According to BetMGM, the odds for the Celtics to beat the Mavericks and win the NBA Championship are -450, with Dallas at +340.
NBA Finals: Celtics vs Mavericks predictions
Below are predictions for the 2024 NBA Finals from USA TODAY Sports' NBA experts.
- Scooby Axon: Celtics win six games
- Sydney Henderson: Mavericks win in 6 games
- Lindsay Schnell: Mavericks in 7 games
- Jeff Zillgitt: Celtics win six games
NBA Finals MVP Odds
According to BetMGM:
- Jayson Tatum, Celtics: +115
- Jaylen Brown, Celtics: +260
- Luka Doncic, Mavericks: +350
- Kristaps Porzingis, Celtics: +650
- Kyrie Irving, Mavericks: +4000
- Derrick White, Celtics: +6600
Kristaps Porzingis came off the bench for just the second time in his career and played in his first game since suffering a calf injury on April 29, scoring 20 points, including 18 in the first half, along with six rebounds and three blocks, and the Celtics beat the Dallas Mavericks 107-89 in Game 1 on Thursday.
The Celtics didn't “miss” Porzingis, as they made it to the NBA Finals despite missing time with a right calf injury, but they did miss him after acquiring him from the Washington Wizards in a 2023 offseason trade, as was evident in his return against the Mavericks.
Read Jeff Zillgitt's full story.
Kyrie Irving knows Boston is a hostile environment, and has been for years.
The TD Garden crowd booed and cheered the former Celtics guard from the moment he touched the ball in warmups until he was finally ejected with 5:17 left in the game. Celtics fans weren't happy with what they saw from him, and judging by Irving's performance in the Mavericks' loss in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday, he wasn't too pleased either.
Read Richard Morin's full story.
What is the chest contusion that is one of Luka Doncic's injuries?
This is a chest contusion caused by a fall or blow to the chest. It doesn't seem like a serious condition, but continued trauma could make it worse. If it is serious, it could affect Luka Doncic's ability to rebound or drive to the scoring lane. Any contact could worsen the condition and keep the Dallas Mavericks star out of the game. John Hoefling
Boston leads the series 1-0
- Game 1: Celtics 107, Mavericks 89
- Sunday, June 9: Game 2 at Boston, 8 p.m. ET on ABC
- Wednesday, June 12: Game 3 at Dallas, 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC
- Friday, June 14: Game 4 at Dallas, 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC
- *Monday, June 17: Game 5 at Boston, 8:30 p.m. on ABC
- *Thursday, June 20: Game 6 at Dallas, 8:30 p.m. on ABC
- *Sunday, June 23: Game 7 at Boston, 8 p.m. on ABC
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