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Full coverage: Mavs stumble in Game 2 vs. Celtics, return to Dallas down 2-0 in NBA Finals

Doncic, Kyrie Irving and the Mavs will look to bounce back in Game 3 Wednesday at American Airlines Center.

The Dallas Mavericks will head back to American Airlines Center facing a 2-0 series deficit.

Despite a 32-point triple-double from Luka Doncic, the Mavericks couldn’t slow the Celtics down in Sunday’s Game 2. While Boston struggled from 3-point range the entire game, they found rhythm late to close out a 105-98 win.

Now Dallas will need a response in front of its home crowd.

Find game stories, photos and more from our crew on site at TD Garden in Boston.

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Game stories

Five thoughts: Mavericks in dire situation as Celtics take 2-0 NBA Finals lead

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Was Mavs’ P.J. Washington fouled on pivotal fourth-quarter play in Game 2 of NBA Finals?

Mavericks ‘fighting uphill,’ in NBA Finals against unlikely odds to come back from 0-2

Overwhelmed Mavericks can’t afford to let Luka Doncic battle as one-man band in NBA Finals

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National reaction to Mavs-Celtics Game 2: Dallas digs themselves an 0-2 series hole

Mavs icon Jason Terry, rapper Travis Scott among celebs taking in Game 2 of NBA Finals

Game photos

Game updates

Box score | Play-by-play

Final: Celtics 105, Mavericks 98 (Boston leads 2-0)

Boston closes Game 2 out strong and takes advantage of homecourt. The Mavericks will need to respond quickly back at American Airlines Center to get back into this series. Game 3 is set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

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- 4:40 left in the fourth: Kyrie Irving finds Daniel Gafford for an alley-oop to cut the deficit to eight points. Suddenly Boston has a key injury to monitor as Kristaps Porzingis is seen limping up and down the floor.

Mavericks trail 97-89 while Joe Mazzulla calls a timeout.

- 8:06 left in the fourth quarter: The Mavericks find themselves trailing by seven after Kyrie Irving finished a quick layup. It’s been a relatively quiet night for Irving, who is shooting 6-for-15 from the field. He’s Dallas’ second-leading scorer with 14 points, while Luka Doncic leads the Mavs with 29.

Boston leads 90-83.

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End of third quarter

Boston is in control going into the fourth, thanks to a 34-foot heave from Payton Pritchard. The Celtics have struggled from 3-point range the entire game, but have found a new rhythm in the second half. Dallas has 12 minutes to regroup and turn things around.

Celtics lead 83-74.

- 2:57 left in the third: Jason Kidd calls for another timeout as the Mavs find themselves in some trouble. Jrue Holiday and Jaylen Brown have come up big for Boston in the last two minutes, pushing the advantage to double digits.

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Celtics lead 77-66.

- 4:56 left in the third: Jason Kidd calls a timeout after Jaylen Brown comes away with a smooth finish at the rim. Boston now owns its largest lead of the matchup at 69-63. The Mavs have plenty of time to regroup but need to snap this cold streak.

Brown and Jayson Tatum have combined for 21 points.

- 7:29 left in the third quarter: There’s still little to no separation in this bout. Dallas’ big men have kicked it up a notch after the break as P.J. Washington, Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II have successfully made their way to the opposing basket.

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Luka Doncic is nearing another postseason triple-double, leading Dallas with 25 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds. Dallas trails 63-61.

End of second quarter

- Luka Doncic did Luka Doncic things in that first half. Dallas still trails.

After a fast-paced finish that included some quick scores from Jrue Holiday, Boston goes into the break leading by 3. While Boston has struggled from 3-point range, the Mavs have been hindered by a few free-throw misses.

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The Mavericks have made 5-of-11 free-throw attempts, seeing Luka Doncic and Josh Green combine for 4 of those makes. Doncic leads all scorers with 23 points, while Holiday has 17.

Boston leads 54-51.

- 3:56 left in the second: Dallas and Boston are battling closely now. Both teams have traded the advantage at separate points in the quarter, with Jrue Holiday tying things up with a cutting layup.

Luka Doncic’s massive day continues with another noteworthy highlight. This time he’s getting his teammates involved, delivering a no-look dime to Derrick Jones Jr. for a quick bucket. Score is tied at 42-42.

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- 7:00 left in the second quarter: After some early 3-point struggles, Boston has its first lead. Derrick White connected from deep to put the Celtics ahead 36-35.

Luka Doncic has been the man to watch throughout this first half, posting 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting.

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End of first quarter

- It was a completely different first quarter from Game 1′s. Dallas holds a three-point lead after the opening frame, seeing Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving combine for 21 points.

Some good news for Mavs fans: Doncic found a fan to call out after some chirping. Despite playing through some injuries, Doncic has looked dominant in the game’s early portion and has hit some of his typical long-range shots. Meanwhile, Boston’s star duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown has combined for 2 points.

Dallas leads 28-25.

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- 8:18 left in the first quarter: Dallas is taking advantage of some early momentum. Thanks to some quick buckets from Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, the Mavericks hold a 13-6 advantage in Game 2′s early minutes.

Dallas’ largest lead in Game 1 was four points.

- Game 2 of the NBA Finals is underway at TD Garden.

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Pregame updates

7:04 p.m.: Luka Doncic will start tonight’s matchup, but the Mavs are clearly treating his injuries with extra caution. Doncic took about 5-6 minutes before joining the rest of the team for its pregame shootaround.

He was seen wearing heavy wraps around his torso and right knee before tip-off.

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6:58 p.m.: After his dominant Game 1 outing, former Mavericks forward Kristaps Porzingis is receiving a hero’s welcome at TD Garden.

Mavericks starters: Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Derrick Jones Jr., P.J. Washington Jr., Daniel Gafford

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Celtics starters: Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford

6:45 p.m.: The Celtics are apparently keeping receipts.

Before Sunday’s Game 2, part of a Kyrie Irving quote was displayed on the TD Garden jumbotron. The Irving quote read: “I thought it was gonna be a little louder in here.”

Irving was then welcomed to the court with a chorus of boos.

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Here’s Irving’s full quote from the Game 1 press conference: “I thought it was going to be a little louder in here, but I’m expecting the same things going into Game 2. The energy has to be focused toward the game. I felt like I had a lot of great looks. They hit back rim or were just a little left or right. Just got to stay confident and stay poised throughout this, man.”

5:55 p.m.: It appears the Mavericks can count on Luka Doncic for Game 2. Shortly after he completed his warmup routine, the team announced that Doncic is available for Sunday night’s showdown in Boston.

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5:45 p.m.: Luka Doncic finishes his pregame routine with free throws and a 3-pointer. Jason Kidd said the Mavs star would go throw his warmup routine before deciding if he’ll suit up for Game 2.

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Pregame reading

Welcome to The Finals

What to know about Mavericks-Celtics in NBA Finals: Schedule, how to watch, and more

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Focused on Game 2 rally, Kyrie Irving won’t let Boston’s ‘outside noise’ disturb his peace

Luka Doncic is exactly where he belongs in NBA Finals. Can Mavericks make the most of it?

How history could work in Mavericks’ favor as they look for Game 2 rebound vs. Celtics

Mavericks’ Jason Kidd calls Jaylen Brown Boston’s best player. One Celtic agrees

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Top feature stories

Dallas’ NBA title hopes rest on Jason Kidd — Mavericks draft pick, player, champion, coach

History is on Celtics’ side, but bet against Luka Doncic, Mavericks at your own risk

Success of Mavs’ Dereck Lively II has him shocked: ‘I don’t think any of us expected this’

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Q&A with Isiah Thomas: Where Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving sit among NBA’s best backcourts

From journeyman to starter: Mavs’ Derrick Jones Jr. will have a say in these NBA Finals

Previews, predictions

Which NBA Finals coach has the edge: Mavericks’ Jason Kidd or Celtics’ Joe Mazzulla?

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Which players will step up for Mavs, Celtics? Writers discuss names to watch in NBA Finals

Is Luka Doncic or Porzingis key to Mavs-Celtics? Doris Burke, JJ Redick talk NBA Finals

Who will win NBA Finals? Writers from Dallas, Boston make their Mavs-Celtics predictions

NBA Finals odds: Celtics favored to win Game 1, but money is rolling in on the Mavericks

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Scouting the Celtics

Scouting Mavericks-Celtics: Why Boston vs. Dallas regular season games don’t tell the tale

How the Boston Celtics are ‘weaponizing’ their long layoff before the NBA Finals

Celtics stars Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown feel better equipped for 2nd chance in NBA Finals

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Mavs-Celtics in NBA Finals: Kyrie Irving’s TD Garden return, Boston’s dynamic duo and more

How Mavs’ Game 5 win could be a blueprint for success vs. Boston Celtics

Meet the Mavs

How the Mavs were built, from the Kyrie Irving trade to the NBA Finals

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Who are the Dallas Mavericks’ assistant coaches? Meet Jason Kidd’s staff

Five months after buying the Mavericks, governor Patrick Dumont elated to be in NBA Finals

Catch up on Mavericks’ memorable moments from 2023-24 NBA season before NBA Finals

How do these Mavericks compare to Dallas’ 2011 NBA championship-winning squad?

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All about Luka

Mavericks’ Luka Doncic relishes first NBA Finals appearance: ‘Never take it for granted’

NBA’s best backcourt? Comparing Mavs’ Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving with all-time great duos

As NBA finals prepare for tipoff, a reminder: Luka Doncic has history of clutch vs. Boston

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Larry Bird-like? Here’s the biggest difference between Mavs’ Luka Doncic and the NBA icon

10 things to know about Mavs star Luka Doncic, including wild shots and NBA Finals debut

Biggest Finals storylines

What’s the biggest storyline in NBA Finals battle between Mavericks and Celtics?

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What happened between Kyrie Irving and the Celtics? A timeline of his stint in Boston

Kristaps Porzingis waiting in wings to spoil NBA Finals for Mavs feels like someone’s joke

From Dallas to Boston: A look at ex-Mavs forward Kristaps Porzingis’ journey to NBA Finals

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