In the lead-up to the NBA Finals, Jrue Holiday of the Boston Celtics was asked how he planned to defend Kyrie Irving of the Dallas Mavericks. His candid, one-word answer summed up the challenge: “Pray.” This response reflects Irving’s formidable offensive prowess, which has left many defenders in awe of his skills.
Rewind to just before the Western Conference finals: Minnesota Timberwolves’ rising star Anthony Edwards expressed confidence about his defensive assignment against Irving. Edwards said, “My matchup is going to be Kyrie [Irving]. So that’s going to be fun.”
But as the series unfolded, the reality proved otherwise. In Game 1, Irving dominated, scoring 30 points on 12-for-23 shooting, leading Dallas to an away victory over Minnesota. Irving later revealed that he used Edwards’ words as fuel for his performance. Throughout the five-game series, Irving averaged 27 points, five assists, and four rebounds, shooting with impressive splits of 49% from the field, 38% from three, and 81% from the free-throw line.
“Pray”
Jrue Holiday gives candid response when asked about defending Kyrie Irving pic.twitter.com/OE2xH11fxt
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) June 5, 2024
Given Irving’s stellar performance in the Western Conference finals, Holiday was thoughtful in his response when discussing his defensive plan for the NBA Finals. “Pray,” he said with a knowing smile. Holiday elaborated that familiarity with Irving’s game is crucial, emphasizing the importance of staying in front of him, minimizing his most dangerous plays, and ensuring help defence. He highlighted that making the court look crowded and forcing Irving into difficult shots, despite his knack for making tough shots, would be essential strategies.
As one of the NBA’s elite perimeter defenders, Jrue Holiday is no stranger to high-pressure defensive moments. He recently made a crucial game-sealing steal against Andrew Nembhard of the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals, underscoring his defensive acumen. Holiday’s mix of respect and realism about facing Irving underscores the complexity and intensity of guarding one of the league’s most dynamic scorers as the Celtics prepare for the NBA Finals.
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