Boston Celtics celebrating their 18th NBA Championship.
(Photo credit: NBC Sports Boston)
The Boston Celtics beat the Dallas Mavericks in game five, 106-88 and for the first time since 2008, they are the National Basketball Association (NBA) Champions. The Celtics earned their 18th banner, which is the most in NBA history, while putting on a display that fans, players, and the league will never forget.
Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 31 points, 8 rebounds and 11 assists. Jaylen Brown had 21 points and 6 assists and was named the Most Valuable Player. When interviewed, Brown said of the MVP award, “It could have gone to Jayson. I can’t talk enough about his selflessness. I can’t talk enough about his attitude. It’s just how he approached not just this series or the Finals but just the playoffs in general. And we did it together as a team, and that was the most important thing.”
Celtics coach, Joe Mazzulla who is 35 years old, became the youngest coach since 1970 to lead a team to win an NBA title.
Over the past 16 years, the Celtics experienced epic playoff failures. However, following the 2023 season, Brad Stevens, the Celtics’ President of Basketball Operations went into action. He took a risk by trading for center, Kristaps Porzingis in a three-team trade that sent Marcus Smart and picks to the Memphis Grizzles. The Celtics extended forward Jaylen Brown’s contract and made him the highest paid player in the NBA. Also, a couple of weeks before training camp, the Celtics traded for point guard, Jrue Holiday and sent Malcom Brogdon, Robert Williams, and picks to the Portland Trail Blazers.
The trades paid off and the Celtics had the best regular season record 64-18 and finished the playoffs with a 16-3 record. During the playoffs, they beat the Miami Heat in the first round, the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round and Indiana Pacers in the third round.
Although the Dallas Mavericks avoided being swept with their 38-point win in game four of the finals, they could not outplay the Celtics in game five. Luka Doncic led the Mavericks in game five with 28 points and 12 rebounds.
The Boston Celtics proved they are the best team in the NBA and have a dynasty that can lead to multiple championships in years to come.
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