In Game 5, the Celtics, driven by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the series MVP, thrash the Mavericks to win the franchise’s 18th NBA championship.
The Boston Celtics have won the NBA championship for the eighteenth time in team history.
The NBA Finals Game 5 on Monday saw the Celtics end the first quarter on a 9-0 run, and they never looked back as they defeated the Dallas Mavericks 106-88. The victory guaranteed the team’s first NBA championship since 2008 and a 4-1 victory in the NBA Finals.
When the Celtics walked the court for the first time in these finals wearing their iconic green uniforms, they immediately established the tone. They then performed in a way deserving of those hues. It was also fitting for a club that finished the regular season with an NBA-high 64 victories and advanced stats that are among the greatest in league history.
On Monday, they succeeded with defense. They used a three for it. Leading the way were celebrities Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. It was the perfect way to cap off a historic Celtics season.
On Monday, Boston had the early lead, leading 9-2 after three baskets by Julius Holiday. Finally, in the last two minutes of the quarter, Dallas struck back, cutting the lead to 19-18. However, the Boston lead increased to 28–18 with a 9–0 run to end the quarter.
More of the same was seen in the second quarter, which concluded with a buzzer-beating heave from beyond halfcourt by Payton Pritchard to increase Boston’s advantage to 21 points.After the break, the Celtics did not disappoint. In the third quarter, Boston increased its lead to 26 points and prevented Dallas from ever getting close. The last quarter was a crowning achievement.After witnessing Brown, Holiday, and Kristaps Porziņģis assume prominent roles in the Finals, Tatum emerged on Monday night as a playmaker and scorer, while Brown wins MVP. Tatum is overtaken with emotion. With 31 points, 11 assists, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals, he led the game. Only twice did he give the ball over.When it was finished, he became so emotional that he hid his face in his hands while confetti dropped from the rafters. After that, he and his son, Jayson Jr., celebrated.
