AFTER 16 long years, Boston Celtics are back as NBA champions.
The Celtics clinched the record-setting 18th NBA crown with a 106-88 beating of Dallas Mavericks in Game 5 of the Finals on Monday night (Tuesday in the Philippines) at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.
Jayson Tatum spearheaded the attack with 31 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds, while Jaylen Brown chipped in 21 points, eight rebounds, and six assists.
Jrue Holiday posted a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Derrick White contributed 14 markers for the Celtics, which finished off the Mavericks in the best-of-seven title series, 4-1.
This is the Celtics’ first NBA championship since 2008, when the Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Rajon Rondo-led Boston defeated Los Angeles Lakers in six games.
This also served as a bounce back for Tatum and Brown after losing to Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals two seasons ago, and also after bowing to Miami Heat in the East Finals last year.
After tasting a lopsided beating in Game 4, the Celtics were scorching in the opening quarter with Holiday drilling six straight points and Al Horford converting a three-pointer for a 9-2 start.
The Mavericks threatened to within 15-16 on back-to-back triples from Josh Green, but Brown, Tatum, White, and Sam Hauser responded with their own run for a 28-18 edge.
The Celtics continued their run in the second period with conversions from Tatum, Brown, and Holiday before capping off the first half with a halfcourt heave from Payton Pritchard for a 67-46 lead.
Boston were never threatened in the second half as the offense continued to pour in from Tatum, Brown, and White as the lead reached its biggest at 106-80 on two free throws by Brown.
Luka Doncic tallied 28 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists, Kyrie Irving added 15 markers, while Green and Derrick Jones Jr. contributed 14 and 10 points, respectively, for the Mavericks./PN
BOX SCORE:
BOSTON 106 — Tatum 31, Brown 21, Holiday 15, White 14, Horford 9, Hauser 8, Porzingis 5, Pritchard 3, Kornet 0, Mykhailiuk 0, Brissett 0.
DALLAS 88 — Doncic 28, Irving 15, Green 14, Jones 10, Gafford 6, Exum 4, Washington 4, Hardy 3, Lively 2, Kleber 2, Hardaway 0, Lawson 0, Powell 0, Prosper 0.
Quarterscores: 28-18, 67-46, 86-67, 106-88.
