Now halfway through the NBA Finals, the Boston Celtics have managed to take a commanding 2-0 lead over the Dallas Mavericks; Boston looking to become the likely Champions.
The Mavericks showed some life in Game 2 after being blown out in Game 1. However, they would need to do the seemingly impossible in Games 3 and 4 to even the series up.
With that being said, here are four potential NBA Finals MVP candidates ahead of the all-important Game 3.
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Jrue Holiday, Boston Celtics
The former Milwaukee Bucks guard has put his stamp on this series for the Celtics, helping them snag a 2-0 lead.
Holiday became the first guard to score 26 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 75% or better in an NBA Finals game.
Holiday has managed to control the game through his scoring and defensive capabilities, which have played a massive role for the Celtics in locking up Kyrie Irving throughout the Finals thus far.
Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd praised Brown ahead of Game 2, calling him Boston's best player. So far, Brown has proven this case.
The 27-year-old scored 21 points, four rebounds, seven assists, and three steals to help the Celtics win Game 2.
He has been the best player overall for the Celtics throughout this postseason run, and that has only continued as they look to go up 3-0 on Wednesday.
Kristaps Porzingis, Boston Celtics
(Photo : (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images))
Even off the bench, Kristaps Porzingis has managed to remain effective.
The star big man returned during Game 1 of the finals after battling back from a calf injury, which has kept him out for most of the postseason. And so far, he has managed to look impressive.
Porzingis erupted in Game 1, scoring 20 points, six rebounds, and three blocks. He has remained consistent, scoring 12 points in Game 2.
He is one of five Celtics averaging 16 points or more, as he joins Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Holiday, and Brown in this category.
Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
Typically, teams that win the first two games of the NBA Finals go on to win the entire series.
However, considering the likelihood that Dallas comes back and wins the series, it's hard to count out Luka Doncic from winning the prestigious award.
Doncic has been superb in his first Finals run. In his last game, he posted 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists.
He has managed to look strong despite some minor hiccups that may have cost them the past two games, Doncic believes.
"My turnovers and my missed free throws cost us the game. I've got to do way better in those two categories," Doncic said after the game, per Tim MacMahon of ESPN.
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