The Boston Celtics made a splash at TD Garden on Monday night, defeating the Dallas Mavericks 106-88 in Game 5 to capture the NBA championship.
The win marked the Celtics’ 18th championship and their first since 2008. one more.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown led the team to a crucial victory.
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Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives the ball past Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic during the first half of Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday. Doncic (left) and forward PJ Washington (25) on defense. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Tatum played 45 minutes and scored 31 points, 11 assists and 8 rebounds. He became the first Celtics player since Larry Bird in 1986 to score at least 20 points, 10 assists and 5 rebounds in the NBA Finals.
“We did it!” Tatum screamed during an interview with ESPN’s Lisa Salters.
Brown scored 21 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. He was named NBA Finals MVP.
Veteran Al Horford, who entered the league in 2007, finally won his first NBA championship ring. He had nine points and nine rebounds.
Kristaps Porzingis, who had been injured throughout the finals, played 16 minutes in Game 5 and finished with five points.
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Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) reacts during the second quarter against the Dallas Mavericks during Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden. (Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports)
The win marked Joe Mazzula’s first championship as head coach. He took over the team last season after the Ime Udoka scandal engulfed the team. Mazzula’s leadership has helped the Celtics stay consistent and focused on the task at hand – an NBA championship.
Boston was able to keep the defense at the forefront throughout the series. They only allowed the Mavericks to score more than 100 points in the series and kept the Mavericks in trouble for most of Game 4.
Kyrie Irving scored 15 points but shot 5 of 16 from the field. Luka Doncic led the Mavericks with 28 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals.
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The Celtics are the best team in the NBA, entering the playoffs with a 64-18 record and looking to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy at season’s end. Boston lost to the Golden State Warriors in the 2022 Finals and was eliminated by the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals last year.
Boston’s quest for revenge began with a first-round series win over the Heat, erasing some of last season’s demons. The Celtics then defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games and swept the Indiana Pacers in the conference finals.
The Celtics came out strong against the Mavericks, scoring under 100 points in each of their first three games.
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (center) drives to the basket, Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (right) defends, and Celtics forward Jason Tatum (left) watches the game. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston lost Game 4 on the road, 122-84, but recovered at home to win the championship.
The Celtics have won just one championship since 1986, during the Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish dynasty.
The last time was in 2008, consisting of the Big Three of Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett.
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Now, Boston is celebrating again and is back atop the NBA.
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