Boston Celtics guards Jrue Holiday and Derrick White delight in the drudgery of protecting the home half of the court.
Perimeter defense will be a high priority in the Boston Celtics’ overall game plan when they host the Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night (8:37) in Game 1 of the NBA Finals at the TD Garden.
Boston’s backcourt of Holiday and White will attempt to match the Mavericks double threat of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, two of the most dominating offensive guards in the NBA this season.
On the other side of the equation, Holiday and White were named to the NBA’s All-Defensive second team. But in terms of picking your poison, Doncic and Irving are arsenic and cyanide.
“It’s hard, it’s hard, but it’s fun,” said Holiday, a 14-year NBA pro out of UCLA. “They are the best scorers in the league and they have been doing it all of their careers and you can see what they have been doing in the playoffs.
“They are in a really good groove and not just scoring, but playmaking and making their team better in crucial moments and in close out games and in whatever. They have been performing very great. It is not going to be easy but it will be fun.”
The 6-7, 230-pound Doncic nearly averaged a triple double in 70 regular-season games and was an All-NBA first selection. He averaged 37.5 minutes, 33.9 points, 9.2 rebounds and 9.8 assists per game. In 17 playoff games against the LA Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves, Doncic averaged 41.5 minutes, 28.8 points, 9.6 rebounds and 8.8 assists. Those numbers tell a story of futility for previous defenders. There is no easy way to take Doncic out of his comfort zone.
“You can try but I think Luka goes at his own pace,” said Holiday. “I really don’t think that Luka gets sped up. You can try as much as possible but you can say the same thing about Kyrie.
“I think that’s what makes them great. I think they can control their own tempo and control their own pace the way they play. Sometimes I think they get sped up a when you throw a lot at them. But again, it is two tough matchups and two tough teams to guard here.”
Irving has been an impactful player in Dallas’ run to the NBA Finals. Irving appeared in 58 regular-season games, averaging 35 minutes, 25.6 points, 5.2 assist and 5.0 rebounds per game.
Irving upped his court time in 17 postseason games, averaging 40.2 minutes, 22.8 points, 5.2 assists and 3.9 boards per game. Irving scored 36 points in 40 minutes in the closeout game against the Timberwolves.
“They are two completely different players but they are some of the best guards in the NBA so it is going to be a challenge,” said White. “Luka has the size and physicality and Kyrie with his creativity.
“It is definitely a challenge and it is a lot of different guys thrown at them and a lot of different matchups and you just have to take the challenge. Honestly, they (the officials) are going to let you be a little more physical and you’ve got to take advantage of that anyway you can.
“They are both too good not to. So, no matter how the game is called, the playoffs have always been more physical than the regular season. You just have to up your physicality and do a little bit more every time. That’s the playoffs and that makes sense.”
Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens had a contender in need of a booster shot after the team’s disappointing second round exit from the 2023 playoffs.
Stevens’ two key offseason acquisitions were Holiday and center Kristaps Porzingis, who should be available for Game 1 after missing the last 10 playoff games with a calf strain. Holiday has extensive playoff experienced and won the NBA title with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021.
“It takes everything,” said Holiday. “I literally say it takes everything and I think it is one of the hardest things that I have ever done.
“Mentally and physically, you are exhausted. The teams know each other so well that at this point it is kind of about making plays and it is about executing. But for me, it was about how exhausted I was because I left everything out there.”
