Starting 5, June 11: The NBA Finals arrive in Dallas – NBA.com

Before Game 3 in Dallas, we dive into the evolution of Tatum and Brown, the Celtics defense, the Mavs returning home and more.

Before the Finals resume in Dallas, we jump into the evolution of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.

THE LINEUP 🏀
What’s inside today’s edition? 
Evolving Jays: How Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown continue to grow their games
Cs defense: The NBA’s 2nd-ranked defense has locked down Dallas through two games
Headed home: Will a change of venue help the Mavs break through in the Finals?
Chasing History: An all-access look at the Celtics’ Game 2 win in Boston
Game 2 frames: Some of our favorite photos from Sunday’s Game 2
BUT FIRST … ⏰
The remaining Finals schedule …

Today, tap into the NBA App for a full day of hoops coverage:
8 a.m. ET: NBA Play Expert Mode tests your playoff triple-doubles knowledge
1:30 p.m. ET: Mavs and Celtics Media Day streams live from Dallas
7 ET: The Game 3 Countdown Stream tips off, celebrating anniversaries – MJ’s 1997 Game 5, Dallas’ 2011 clincher and Boston’s 2008 comeback – as well as classic Game 3s from KD, LeBron, Kobe & Shaq and more
Wednesday
8:30 ET, ABC: The 2024 Finals resume with Game 3 in Dallas
1. THE EVOLVING JAYS

Only 84 players in NBA history have played at least 4,000 playoff minutes
Jayson Tatum continually draws the defense and finds the open man as Boston comes within 2 victories of its 18th NBA championship.
The Playmaker: Tatum is finding a way to contribute to Boston’s winning when his usual method is off track.

The Two-Way Star: Brown leads Boston in scoring (21.5 ppg on 55.6% shooting) and steals (3.0 spg), and ranks second in assists (4.5 apg) and blocks (1.5 bpg) in the Finals.
2. CELTICS DEFENSE DOESN’T REST

When a team holds the best regular season offensive rating (122.2) since the stat came into existence in 1997-98, it can be easy to focus on that side of the ball.
But don’t sleep on the Celtics’ defense.
Boston finished second in defensive rating (110.6) this season, trailing only the Minnesota Timberwolves, and led the NBA in blocks (6.6 per game).
Boston’s defense has only gotten stingier in the playoffs (107.6) and has been in lockdown mode through the first two games of the Finals (100.0).

The Celtics’ ability to play the Mavs one-on-one defensively and not rely on blitzes and constant double teams against playmakers like Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving has been a game changer.
It allows the Celtics to stay home on shooters and cutters and avoid being in scramble mode to try to contest an open shot.
Jaylen Brown thinks there’s still room for improvement after Game 2.
3. MAVS HEAD HOME SEEKING ANSWERS

The Mavericks got a 30-point triple-double from Luka Doncic and held the high-powered Boston offense in check most of the night, but were unable to get the win on the road.
The series now shifts to Dallas for the next two games – Game 3 on Wednesday and Game 4 on Friday. The Mavs aren’t just facing the Celtics, now they’re facing history.
🗣️ Mavs Coach Jason Kidd: “We’ve got to protect home, and that’s it. We’ve got to find a way. Continue, again, to build on our defense. Our defense put us in a position to win [Sunday]. Unfortunately, our offense didn’t help us.”
While Luka has averaged 31 points – and is coming off becoming the youngest player in Finals history to post a 30-point triple-double – only three other Mavs are averaging 10+ points in the series: P.J. Washington (15.5), Kyrie (14.0) and Daniel Gafford (10.5).
After the Celtics take a 2-0 lead in the 2024 NBA Finals, Shaq feels the Mavericks have to muster the belief to come from behind.
Can the change in venue be the spark needed for the Mavs to get going? It’s often said that role players shoot better at home – and so far this postseason that bears out for the Mavs.
See their home vs. road splits for all players not named Luka or Kyrie.
🗣️ Kidd: “We’ve counted on [our young players] all year, not just here in the Finals, but throughout the season and [playoffs]. And for them, it’s just a matter of getting comfortable and going back home. Hopefully that will help.”
Dallas will need contributions from up and down the roster as they try to do something that hasn’t been done all season – hand the Celtics four losses in a five-game span.
4. CHASING HISTORY: Celtics TAKE 2-0 LEAD
Jrue Holiday leads all Celtics with 26 points and Derrick White makes a crucial chasedown block to seal Boston's Game 2 win.
🗣️ ”It’s nervous energy, it’s anxious energy, but it’s a good energy. You’re in the Garden baby. You’re in the Garden. This is where we want to be – in the Finals, Game 2. Let’s go!”
– Celtics legend and 2008 NBA Finals MVP Paul Pierce
The latest episode of Chasing History delivers an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Boston’s Game 2 win on Sunday.
Witness Luka Doncic’s sensational start, Jrue Holiday’s big night, Jayson Tatum’s dimes, Jaylen Brown mic’d up, Dallas’ late rally and Derrick White’s clutch chasedown block – along with sights and sounds from TD Garden before and after the game.
5. OUR FAVORITE FRAMES FROM GAME 2










Jayson Tatum is finding various ways to win his matchup with Luka Doncic, who is struggling as a target of Boston's offense.
Sunday’s Game 2 averaged 12,063,000 viewers, peaking with 14,106,000 viewers at 10 ET. That's up 10% from Game 1.
Already with 1 title to his name, Holiday is on the verge of adding a 2nd thanks to his superlative Game 2 performance.
Jrue Holiday takes his turn in the spotlight, Boston dominates on defense and Luka Doncic's 1-man show isn't enough.
Jayson Tatum is finding various ways to win his matchup with Luka Doncic, who is struggling as a target of Boston's offense.
Sunday’s Game 2 averaged 12,063,000 viewers, peaking with 14,106,000 viewers at 10 ET. That's up 10% from Game 1.
Already with 1 title to his name, Holiday is on the verge of adding a 2nd thanks to his superlative Game 2 performance.
Jrue Holiday takes his turn in the spotlight, Boston dominates on defense and Luka Doncic's 1-man show isn't enough.
Arms impresses with 32 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists while Bronny James scores 4 points in his Summer League debut.
Bronny James starts for the Lakers and scores 4 points with 2 rebounds and 2 assists in his NBA Summer League debut.
Greece eliminates Luka Doncic and Slovenia in the semifinals of the Olympic qualifying tournament.
Charlotte reportedly brings back Bridges to keep their core with LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller together.
The free-agent forward heads to Philadelphia where he's expected to fill a starting spot as part of the 76ers' revamped roster.
Reportedly on the move to Dallas in a 3-team deal, guard Klay Thompson posts a heartfelt message to the Bay Area.

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