Jrue Holiday finally got a taste of the limelight in Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks. Fans who have been following league activities this season will know that Holiday was traded from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Celtics in order to help the team win an NBA championship.
Thanks to Holiday’s play in Game 2, the Celtics now hold a commanding 2-0 lead in this series and are heavily favored to win the title at this point in time. After the Celtics won Game 2 and defended homecourt, Holiday was interviewed and asked to share his thoughts on the game.
Holiday was also asked about his performance, which was one of the best we have seen from him this season. Since fans will certainly be interested in hearing Holiday’s thoughts while being just 2 wins away from the second championship in his NBA career, a closer look is essential.
Jrue Holiday discusses the elite defense showcased by the Boston Celtics in Game 2
This was a different game for the Boston Celtics. Unlike Game 1, they struggled heavily in terms of three-point shooting. The reason they were able to win Game 2 against Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks was due to their elite defense, rebounding, and interior scoring. Jrue Holiday did all of that for his team and discussed their defensive prowess after the game had concluded.
“Just being consistent. Just sticking with it, knowing they were scoring. Making plays, getting to the free throw line but being consistent and sticking to it…It was amazing. I think maybe D-white got it first and JB got it second but just the effort right? To know that we’re up by 7 or 10 or whatever. They could have given up that layup but uum to go up there and get the block is elite…”
Those who didn’t watch the game should know that Holiday was referring to the block made by Derrick White and Jaylen Brown on PJ Washington. In actuality, the Celtics were up 5 with around a minute left in the game. The Mavs secured the ball and attempted a fastbreak that would have cut the lead to just 3 points. Brown and White managed to keep up with Washington and blocked the ball at the rim to ensure their victory.Holiday credits Jayson Tatum for this win against the Dallas Mavericks
Jrue Holiday also finished the night scoring 26 points and 11 rebounds. This was one of the best offensive performances during his short career with the Boston Celtics. Holiday did not take much credit for his much-needed scoring and delivered much praise to Jayson Tatum for putting him in positions to score with ease.
“Honestly I think I just got the opportunity. I would say a lot of it was JT. JT was attacking the basket and they were double-teaming him and he was making the right play. The way that he played tonight, the way that he led us getting to the paint making plays, finding me wide open. It was all about him.”
Tatum scored 18 points in Game 2 but had 12 assists. Holiday was the recipient of many of them and did not fail to deliver despite being under the pressure of the NBA Finals. As the series shifts to Dallas for Games 3 and 4, one must wonder if the Mavs will be able to orchestrate a comeback to make this a competitive Finals.