Boston Celtics Win NBA-Leading 18th Championship After Smothering Dallas Mavericks In Five Games
Joe Mazzulla's Boston Celtics are NBA champions.
Mazzulla, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown closed out one of the quieter matchups in recent NBA Finals history, beating Luka Doncic's Dallas Mavericks in five games.
From the jump, Boston played ready to 'gentleman's sweep' the Mavs at TD Garden Monday night, winning the series (4-1) with a 106-88 win.
BOSTON, MA - JUNE 17: Jayson Tatum #0 and Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics plays defense during the game against Maxi Kleber #42 of the Dallas Mavericks during Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals on June 17, 2024 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
With their 18th championship won, the Celtics now hold the title of most championships in NBA history.
BOSTON, MA - JUNE 17: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics shoots a free throw during the game against the Dallas Mavericks during Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals on June 17, 2024 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JUNE 17: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket during the game against the Dallas Mavericks during Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals on June 17, 2024 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
Coming into the game, Dallas sought to build momentum after escaping with a win to avoid the sweep on Friday.
Jason Kidds' Mavs rotation ran into frequent trouble against Boston's greater length. Welcoming back a healthier Kristaps Porzingis and featuring a driven Al Horford (a first-time champ), Boston dominated the boards and pushed Dallas to play the long-range game.
The shots didn't fall in for Dallas in their ‘do-or-die’ game.
Boston left it all on the floor. Some more than others, such as Celtics role player Derrick White, who chipped his tooth after falling and hitting his face on the hardwood.
"I'd lose all my teeth for a championship," White said after the win.
Without a true alpha taking over the series, Boston's collective effort elevated them to victory, peaking at the right times.
BOSTON, MA - JUNE 17: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics celebrates during the game against the Dallas Mavericks during Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals on June 17, 2024 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
Jayson Tatum recorded 31 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds. Two-star star Jaylen Brown added 21 points, eight assists and six rebounds.
Brown earned the NBA Finals MVP honor.
After a five-game fight, it's apparent that Denver and Minnesota had more bite to offer as a Finals team than Dallas.
The Mavericks once again proved to be a roster bereft of a game plan outside of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. They combined for 43 points in the losing Game 5 performance.
For the Celtics, it's an incredible accomplishment to win a title in Joe Mazzulla's second season coaching the team. Mazzulla stepped in at the last minute to coach the Celtics last season after losing Ime Udoka to a sudden controversy.
Boston tied up the loose ends from last year's disappointing Eastern Conference Finals exit.
Surely, the Boston faithful will react humbly to their latest championship.
(Take that, Lakers fans.)
Congrats to the Boston Celtics!
BOSTON, MA - JUNE 17: Boston Celtics' fans celebrate during the game against the Dallas Mavericks during Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals on June 17, 2024 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Grace Beal/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 17: Kristaps Porzingis #8 high fives Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics after a play against the Dallas Mavericks during the fourth quarter of Game Five of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 17, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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