BOSTON — Boston has reclaimed its place at the pinnacle of the National Basketball Association (NBA), securing their 18th championship by defeating Dallas, 106-88, in Game 5 of the finals series held at TD Garden in Boston.
After preventing a series sweep in Game 4 in Dallas, the Celtics dominated early, holding the Mavericks to just 18 points in the first quarter. Boston effectively sealed their victory with a commanding 39-point second quarter, establishing a 67-46 lead by halftime.
Jayson Tatum starred for the Celtics, tallying 31 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists. Reflecting on the win, Tatum expressed profound gratitude: “It means the world. It’s been a long time. And damn I’m grateful.”
Jaylen Brown, named the Finals MVP, contributed 21 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Sharing the spotlight with Tatum, Brown remarked, “I share this with my brothers and my partner in crime Jayson Tatum.”
In addition to surpassing the Los Angeles Lakers in total NBA championships, the Celtics made history as their head coach, Joe Mazzulla, became the youngest coach to win a title since Bill Russell’s player-coach role in 1969. “You have very few chances in life to be great,” Mazzulla, aged 35, remarked.
Despite a strong effort from Luka Doncic, who scored 28 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for Dallas, the Mavericks succumbed to the Celtics’ dominance in Game 5, ending their playoffs with a 3-0 record in earlier rounds.
With Boston securing the championship in five games, teams leading 3-0 in best-of-seven NBA playoff series are now 157-0 in clinching the title.
(ia/mnm/Source:PNA)
