3 Studs, 2 duds from Mavericks' dreadful Game 2 loss to Celtics

Heading into Sunday night's Game 2 against the Boston Celtics, the Dallas Mavericks were cool, calm, and collected.

Despite the outside noise and panic from fans, Jason Kidd never panicked. The Mavs knew what kind of position they were in, especially since they've been notorious for losing in Game 1s during the Kidd era, and their calmness and focus traveled into Game 2.

Despite being calm and seemingly ready to play, Dallas was defeated by Boston by a score of 105-98 in Game 2, and now the Celtics hold a 2-0 series lead heading back to the American Airlines Center for Game 3.

3 Studs, 2 duds from Mavericks' dreadful Game 2 loss to Celtics

The Mavs got off to a strong start, and Boston's role players finally started missing some shots. In Game 1, the Mavs were plagued by a flaming hot start from the Celtics, and them keeping Boston in check during that first quarter ultimately helped them get the early lead.

This lead later fizzled, and the rest is history.

The Mavs needed this win badly, and they couldn't find a way to win. Dallas has not been able to catch a break with all of Luka Doncic's injuries, and now they have their backs against the wall.

Here are three studs and two duds from the Dallas Mavericks' Game 2 loss to the Boston Celtics.

5. Stud - Derrick Jones Jr

Derrick Jones Jr. had an extremely rough Game 1 that included him continuously getting blocked at the rim by Kristaps Porzingis. He was extremely inefficient as he finished with five points while shooting 2-9 from the field, but Game 2 was different.

Jones Jr. finished with 11 points while shooting 4-7 from the field, and he was great in the first half. He had an and-one layup in transition, a great lob finish from Luka Doncic, and was playing good defense.

Jones Jr. continues to be one of the most valuable defenders on the roster, and he continues to jack up his contract price later this summer by the way he is playing. He has already said that he wants to return to Dallas, and his play on both ends continues to win over the hearts of Mavs fans.

Jones Jr. is fearless, and the Mavs need him to continue to make good decisions when attacking the rim and not forcing anything. He needed to bounce back badly, and that's exactly what happened on Sunday.

4. Dud - Dante Exum

Dante Exum has been unplayable for nearly the entire playoffs, and some of his struggles continued into Game 2. Jason Kidd decides to run with Exum for a couple of minutes almost every game even with his struggles, and he has to be a little better if Kidd is going to play him.

In Game 2, Exum finished with three points, one rebound, and one assist while shooting 1-1 from the field. Exum obviously only played 11 minutes, but his lack of confidence has turned him into a nonthreat on offense. He went from one of the best shooters on the team to someone who teams have dared to shoot at times, and it has been one of the craziest falloff stories in these playoffs.

There have been times when Exum has shown flashes that he can be a difference-maker in his minutes, but it has been rare in the postseason. He was one of the best role players on the team during the regular season and had a great stretch as a starter, but it may be time for Kidd to bench him completely.

This has been crushing for Mavs fans, as he was a fan favorite for most of the regular season, and it's crazy to think that he went from hitting huge shots in the clutch to being someone who Kidd can't rely on at all.

Exum's one three he made was timely and he played some good defense, but it still wasn't enough.

3. Stud - Luka Doncic

Entering the Dallas Mavericks' Sunday night Game 2 throwdown against the Boston Celtics, Luka Doncic was battling a chest contusion along with his ankle soreness and knee sprain that he has been dealing with all playoffs long.

Doncic was nearly automatic in this game, and his strong start was something that helped get the ball rolling for the Mavs. He finished with 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists, and he became the first Mavs player to drop a triple-double in an NBA Finals game.

Doncic seemingly couldn't miss early in this game, and when his bunnies are falling early, it's always a good sign. He finished with 13 points in the first quarter, and he was getting to his spots inside the paint and around the rim.

Doncic was dialed in early, and he followed up his 30-point double-double from Game 1 with an even better game. Fans could tell early that they were in for a masterclass from Doncic, and he continues to prove why he is one of the best playoff risers in the NBA.

Dallas is going to need for Doncic to keep it up once they get back to the American Airlines Center for Games 3 and 4, and hopefully a few days off can allow him to nurse his chest injury.

Doncic has pulled his weight in both of Dallas' games against Boston in the Finals so far, but the same can't be said about his co-star.

2. Dud - Kyrie Irving

In Game 1, Dallas Mavericks superstar Kyrie Irving was absolutely rattled by the Boston Celtics crowd. Despite Irving saying he thought the Boston crowd was going to be louder, he was clearly bothered by it. The fact that he talked about it shows that he was thinking about it going into the game, and it seems this continued into Game 2.

Irving started strong in the first quarter as he finished with eight points on 4-5 shooting, and with Luka Doncic on the bench, he was able to keep the Mavs offense rolling with some crazy finishes through swarming defense.

Irving was not letting the crowd get to him early in this game, and he was fueled by trying to prove that. The loud boos continued for Irving every time he touched the ball, but it didn't affect him early.

Things later changed for Irving, and he began talking trash with some fans and waving the "Kyrie sucks" chants to be louder.

Irving set the tone early in this game, but he couldn't keep it up as the game progressed. He was making shots that he usually hits, and was settling for tons of tough jumpers.

The Celtics fans' hate for Irving will likely continue until he retires, and it's important that he finds a way to block them out for the remainder of the series. It doesn't seem likely after watching Games 1 and 2, but this is a change he has to make.

1. Stud - P.J. Washington

P.J. Washington is someone who emerged as a key to defeating the Boston Celtics in Game 1, and regardless of how the game ended in Game 2, Washington was excellent. Washington finished with 17 points, seven rebounds, and one assist while shooting 6-13 from the field.

One part of Washington's game that was particularly strong in Game 2 was his finishing in the paint, and his floater was excellent. Washington is turning into the Mavs' third star in the making due to his two-way ability.

The Mavs need for Washington to keep developing and gaining confidence, and they may need even more out of him considering how those around he and Luka Doncic won't step up. Washington has brought consistency in both games, and his ability to finish around the rim has helped unlock another part of his game.

He's proving that he isn't just a shooter, and him being confident when driving the ball is something that will help unlock his game even more.

Washington is someone to watch in Game 3, as this series will likely be history if the Mavs can't find a way to win. No team has ever come back and won when trailing 3-0, and Washington and the Mavs have to find a way to claw out a win on Wednesday.

Even Washington admitted the Boston crowd got to them in Game 1, and now they have a chance to turn things around at home.

For all the latest on P.J. Washington and the Dallas Mavericks throughout the 2024 NBA Finals, stay tuned.