Boston point guard Jrue Holiday can identify with all the worrisome complications the Dallas Mavericks encounter when defending the Celtics’ tandem of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

Holiday preferred being on the right side of Tatum and Brown in the starting lineup when the Celtics engaged the Mavericks in Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Sunday night at the TD Garden.

Holiday had been on the other side of the matchup as a member of the then-reigning NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks in the 2022 Eastern Conference semifinals. The Bucks didn’t give up the ghost easily but they eventually succumbed, losing Game 7 by the lopsided score of 109-81 at the Garden.

“I like it a lot better being on their side rather than — rather than going against them just because I’ve been in situations where I’ve had to guard both of them in a series,” said Holiday, during the Celtics’ practice on Saturday at the Auerbach Center in Brighton.

“It’s extremely difficult the way they play, the way they complement each other, especially being aggressive getting into the paint,” said Holiday. “Both being great playmakers in the first game, balancing that with scoring and making everybody better. I’m glad I’m on this side.”

The Celtics took a 1-0 lead in the series with a 107-89 victory over the Mavericks on Tuesday night at the Garden. The timely return of 7-2, 240-pound, center Kristaps Porzingis from a calf injury was the storyline of the game, but the contributions made by Tatum and Brown were equally significant.

Playing in his first game since April 29, Porzingis logged 21 minutes, shot 8-of-13 from the floor with 20 points and six rebounds. Porzingis’ oversized presence was felt more in the first half where he hit 7-of-9 from the floor and scored 18 points with three rebounds and two blocks.

Brown played 37 minutes and led the team with 22 points. He shot 7-12 from the field with two made 3-point shots, six rebounds, three blocks and three steals. Tatum played 42 minutes and finished with 16 points, 11 rebounds and five assists.

“I think the relationship between Jayson and Jaylen is natural,” said Holiday, who was acquired by the Celtics in a trade from Portland on Oct. 1.

“I don’t think that they try to force anything upon one another. I feel like people do try to make it like a big deal, but honestly, they are who they are.

“They can be quiet at times, but when they speak, everything that they say is important. I think that their relationship is their relationship and it’s been awesome.”

Holiday anticipated that Game 2 would have a different look and feel than the opener while the animated atmosphere in the Garden would be the same.

“It was Game 1 and it’s always a feeler game,” said Holiday. “I think when both teams get more comfortable out here, it will be a battle.”

From the home team’s standpoint, Holiday liked the way the Game 1 developed in the first quarter and then played out over the next three. He was especially pleased with the way the Celtics responded with a 14-0 run after the Mavericks cut the lead to eight points in the third quarter.

“Yeah, I think we came out aggressive, which was good,” said Holiday. “Gave us some leeway to withstand their punch when they came back.

“I think we did a pretty good job executing for most of the game but keeping our poise, even being up almost 30 and then coming down, cutting it to eight. I think we kept our poise pretty well and pushed it back up to 20.”

Holiday also anticipated that Mavericks’ coach Jason Kidd would make the necessary adjustments to get the series tied 1-1 heading back to Dallas.

“Something different,” said Holiday. “They are probably going to try to get more threes. I think their role players are going to make more of an impact, and then they are just going to come out more aggressive.”