Luka Doncic is also known as Luka Magic but recently fell to No. 2 on the NBA MVP ladder with a strong push from Jrue Holiday. Now, Doncic’s recent tumble isn’t so magical, right?
Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd reportedly called Jaylen Brown the Boston Celtics’ “best player” ahead of Game 2 of the NBA Finals, but his reported comment is now up for debate. Jrue Holiday has proved to the general public in Game 2 that the “best player” label could be interchangeable. Holiday led the Celtics and shattered the Mavericks with 26 points and 11 rebounds in the Celtics’ 105-98 win over the Mavericks at TD Garden for a 2-0 series lead. Holiday’s performance was arguably on par with Luka Doncic’s game-high 32 points with 11 rebounds and 11 assists.
Jrue Holiday told NBA.com, “I’m a utility guy … I’ll do whatever. I’m here to win.”
Here’s more on Doncic’s recent fall to No. 2 on the MVP ladder with a strong push from Holiday.
Luka Doncic’s Assists Have Decreased
Luka Doncic led the Dallas Mavericks in scoring after Game 2 on Sunday, but his overall number of assists has decreased throughout the first two games of the NBA Finals. Doncic’s decrease in overall assists is one of the reasons behind the Mavericks’ recent struggles in the series so far.
Luka Doncic, a five-time NBA All-Star, recorded his 10th career postseason triple-double in Game 2 to match Larry Bird, Draymond Green, and Rajon Rondo for No. 6 in NBA history. Doncic, however, can’t carry the Dallas Mavericks on his back and beat the Boston Celtics on his own. Doncic’s supporting cast must match Jayson Tatum’s supporting cast, especially in free throw shooting, to give a slight glimmer of hope for Mavericks fans during Games 3 and 4 at the American Airlines Center on Wednesday and Friday.
Jrue Holidays’s Top-Notch Performance Sets Tone For NBA Finals
Jrue Holiday, a former Milwaukee Bucks point guard and shooting guard, already has one NBA title to his name. On the other hand, Luka Doncic has yet to win his first-ever NBA championship with the Dallas Mavericks.
As of Tuesday, June 11, Jrue Holiday took the No. 1 spot in the NBA Finals MVP ladder, while Luka Doncic fell to the No. 2 spot. Holiday’s Game 2 performance propelled him to the top (at least for now) and then made him the first guard to produce at least 25 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 75% or better from the floor in an NBA Finals game. Holiday’s 26 points were the second-most he has scored this season in any game during the NBA regular season or postseason.
Boston Celtics Gain Advantage Over Dallas Mavericks
Luka Doncic’s stats have been impressive for the most part. Doncic recorded his first NBA Finals triple-double in Game 2, while playing with a thoracic contusion, a chest contusion caused by a fall or a direct blow to the chest, but struggled with turnovers (eight) and free throws (4-for-8).
Luka Doncic told USA TODAY, “My turnovers and my missed free throws cost us the game … So, I’ve got to do way better in those two categories.”
Jrue Holiday has been playing better than Luka Doncic. The Boston Celtics won Games 1 and 2. NBA teams that win the first two games of the NBA Finals have won 86.1% of the time. The Celtics gained an advantage over the Mavericks, and the fact that Holiday did a little bit of everything in the Celtics vs. Mavericks Game 2 should serve as a warning to Doncic and company.
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Ana is an accomplished journalist with various credentials in writing, reporting, and broadcasting. With a diverse background and a bachelor’s degree in communications from San Jose State University, Ana can deliver the news promptly and share her opinions with confidence. Her other articles can be found here.
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Ana is an accomplished journalist with various credentials in writing, reporting, and broadcasting. With a diverse background and a bachelor’s degree in communications from San Jose State University, Ana can deliver the news in a timely manner and share her opinions with confidence.
