Watch: Jrue Holiday keeps Celtics afloat during first half of Game 2

Holiday led the Celtics in scoring and rebounds midway through third quarter, putting up 23 points on 10-for-12 shooting, while adding a steal and a block. Not only did Holiday shoot 9-for-9 in the paint, he seemed to be there for every clutch basket, offensive rebounds or timely defensive stop in Sunday's Game 2.

It has felt like the Mavericks lose track of Holiday constantly. Some of that is too much focus on Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, but some of that is Holiday simply always knowing where to go to find holes in the defense.

Plus, his defense on Kyrie Irving has been impressive. Showing why he's on the All-Defensive team, Holiday held Irving to just two third-quarter points, on two late free throws.

Boston may not always need Holiday to score, but score he has in Game 2. And his defense has meant that even during a game in which Luka Doncic has 29 points through three quarters, Boston entered the fourth with an 83-74 lead.