For the 18th time in franchise history, the Boston Celtics are NBA champions.
The Celtics closed the first quarter of Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday on a 9-0 run and never looked back en route to a dominant 106-88 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. The victory secured a 4-1 victory in the NBA Finals and the franchise’s first title since 2008.
The Celtics set the tone from the first game, taking the floor for the first time in these Finals wearing their classic green jerseys. They then produced a performance worthy of these colors. It was also worthy of a team that posted an NBA-record 64 regular-season wins and produced advanced metrics that rank among the best in league history.
They did it Monday with the defense. They did it with 3s. They did it with stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown leading the way. It was an optimal conclusion to a pivotal Celtics season.
Boston fired the first shot Monday, opening a 9-2 lead with its first three buckets scored by Jrue Holiday. Dallas fought back and cut the lead to 19-18 in the final two minutes of the quarter. But the 9-0 run to close the quarter pushed Boston’s lead to 28-18.
The second quarter saw more of the same and ended with a buzzer-beating Payton Pritchard from beyond half-court to extend Boston’s lead to 21 points.
Dallas never recovered.
There was no disappointment from the Celtics after halftime. Boston extended its lead to as many as 26 points in the third quarter and never let Dallas sniff within striking distance again. The fourth quarter was a coronation.
For the Celtics, the championship changes the legacy on several levels.
In the grand scheme, the Celtics reclaimed sole possession at the top of the list of all-time NBA champions, no longer tied with their bitter rival, the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers had already won eight titles to Boston’s only one since 1986, including three unanswered since 2008, tying the Celtics with 17 titles each. Boston stands out once again with its 18th championship.
Tatum and Brown are now certified. The All-Star teammates were repeatedly questioned and criticized for failing on the biggest of stages during their previous six seasons as the common faces of the franchise. They were upset in two Eastern Conference Finals by the Miami Heat and watched Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors celebrate a championship at TD Garden in 2022. Those questions no longer linger.
Tatum and Brown now join a hallowed roster including Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Larry Bird, Robert Parish, Kevin McHale, Dennis Johnson, JoJo White, Dave Cowens, John Havlicek, Bob Cousy and Bill Russell to lead a franchise synonymous with greatness until in the championship. glory.
President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens took his unique basketball mind from the Celtics sideline to the front office in 2021. Never satisfied with being short, he continually tinkered with the roster and finally took steps to build the championship, including acquiring Al Horford, Holiday, Derrick. White and Kristaps Porziņģis — decisions that coincided with tough calls like parting ways with franchise favorite Marcus Smart and All-Star Kemba Walker.
Head coach Joe Mazzulla – promoted to 2022 amid Ime Udoka’s scandalous departure – drew fire throughout his first season leading the team that ended before the NBA Finals . Now he’s a champion.
For these Celtics, this championship is not considered an end, but a beginning. Tatum (26) and Brown (27) are just hitting their prime and aim to further cement their names in Celtics franchise glory. But what a start to the championship season!
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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