BOSTON — The Celtics clinched their 18th title in franchise history on Monday night, pulling away for a 106-88 win over the Mavericks in Game 5 to win the NBA Finals 4-1. It was the first championship for the franchise since 2008 and capping a historic playoff run for the team, going 16-3 overall in the postseason on their way to the crown.
Jayson Tatum (31 points, 8 rebounds and 11 assists) and Jaylen Brown (21 points) led the way for the hosts, soundly outplaying the Mavericks star duo of Kyrie Irving (15 points, 5/16 FG) and Luka Doncic (28 points) to earn their first title. Jrue Holiday also shined on his way to his second career title, scoring the first six points of the game en route to 15 points in a big bounceback effort from Game 4. Kristaps Porzingis also scored five points in nine minutes off the bench in his return to the court after sitting out two games following a rare leg dislocation.
Boston shook off a dismal Game 4 and came out of the gate with urgency early, building a 9-2 lead that they would never relinquish against a Mavericks team that struggled to score much of the night. The Mavericks hung tough in the first 10 minutes of the game by targeting Porzingis defensively once he entered.
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However, Boston separated themselves in this game at the end of each period. They built a double-digit lead with a 9-0 run to close the first quarter. By halftime, a Payton Pritchard buzzer-beater capped a 19-7 outburst to give the hosts a commanding 21-point lead entering halftime.
The Celtics kept their foot on the gas to start the third quarter, extending their lead with a 11-4 run to push their lead as high as 26 points in front of a raucous TD Garden. The hosts struggled offensively for a lengthy stretch, mustering just eight points in a 12-minute stretch lasting into the start of the fourth quarter. However, Boston’s lead remained secure thanks to a tenacious defensive performance. The Mavericks failed to make any headway amid a brutal shooting night from 3-point range and being consistently outworked by Boston on the glass. Dallas was unable to trim Boston’s lead below 19 points for the entire fourth quarter, giving Boston plenty to celebrate as they raised
With the victory, Boston (18) passes the Los Angeles Lakers (17) for the most franchise titles in NBA history.
