Sixteen years after securing their 17th NBA championship, the Boston Celtics have triumphantly claimed their 18th, etching their name deeper into the annals of basketball history.
Boston Celtics become champions
On 18 June, the Boston Celtics outplayed Dallas with a commanding 106-88 victory in Game 5, painting the final stroke on a masterpiece season.
Boston boasted the best regular-season record (64-18) and breezed through the playoffs with a dominant 16-3 record, never requiring more than five games to dispatch any challenger.
The Celtics now reign supreme this season and ascend to the pinnacle of NBA history in all-time titles, edging past the Los Angeles Lakers in their storied rivalry.
How often does your backcourt give you 19 boards and 2 blocks in an #NBAFinals closeout game?
These Celtics guards are something special.@Jrue_Holiday11: 15 PTS, 11 REB, 4 AST, 1 BLK@Dwhite921: 14 PTS, 8 REB, 4 3PM, 2 STL, 1 BLK pic.twitter.com/Vg5sXFCvKc
— NBA (@NBA) June 18, 2024
With the No. 1 offense, No. 2 defense, and top-tier 3-point shooting during the regular season, Boston’s prowess was on full display throughout the playoffs and culminated in a spectacular Finals performance, particularly in Game 5. They amassed 67 points by halftime, restricted Dallas to under 100 points (on 44.9% shooting) for the fourth time in the series, and dazzled with their 3-point barrage – hitting an astounding 12-for-23 from beyond the arc by the third quarter’s midpoint.
The Boston Celtics surged ahead with a staggering 78-52 lead early in the third quarter, transforming the remainder of the match into an exuberant celebration for Boston’s faithful fans.
Jayson Tatum spearheaded Boston Celtics’s charge with an impressive stat line of 31 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds, while Jaylen Brown matched his scoring with 31 points alongside eight rebounds and six assists. The starting lineup shone brightly as four Celtics scored in double digits – Jrue Holiday contributed 15 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists, complemented by Derrick White’s solid 14 points and eight rebounds.
Luka Doncic fought valiantly for Dallas with 28 points on efficient shooting (12-for-25), coupled with 12 rebounds and five assists but struggled from distance, going just 2-for-9 on three-pointers. Kyrie Irving’s nightmarish performances at TD Garden persisted; he managed only 15 points on a lackluster 5-for-16 shooting display. Kudos to Boston’s versatile defenders who relentlessly harried Doncic and Irving, stifling their scoring avenues.
Stay tuned for more in-depth analysis and reactions from this historic championship run.
