In a tense start to the match on both sides, it was the Celtics who capitalized on Dallas' 1/9 shooting to get the best start (9-2). Luka Doncic (28 points, 12 rebounds, 6 lost balls) then manages to calm his team. He goes for a 2+1, targets Kristaps Porzingis as soon as he enters the game to offer two 3-pointers to Josh Green (14 points, 4/6 at 3-points), and allows the Mavs to pick up the score (19-18 ).
Despite the good return of their bench, already author of 11 points, Jason Kidd's men ended the first quarter in the worst way. Kleber misses two 3-pointers, Doncic and PJ Washington lose two balls and the trio Jrue Holiday – Jayson Tatum – Jaylen Brown passes them a 9-0 in less than two minutes (28-18)!
Payton Pritchard still in midfield!
In a delighted TD Garden, Sam Hauser adds his second 3-pointer of the game. Jaylen Brown, then Jrue Holiday imitate him to drive the point home! Kyrie Irving (15 points) and Derrick Jones Jr. respond from afar, but Dallas' defense takes on water in the face of Jayson Tatum's repeated drives (46-31). It was Joe Mazzulla's choice to play without a pivot that nevertheless revived Dallas. The Mavs then attack the circle and get two dunks and two lay-ups in a row to stay in ambush (48-39).
But as at the end of the first quarter, Dallas ended the period in free fall. In the wake of an omnipresent Jayson Tatum (16 points, 9 assists at the break) and a diabolical long-distance skill, the Celtics ended the quarter with a 19-7 punctuated by a new buzzer beater from the middle of the land of Payton Pritchard (67-46)!
Like the Mavs during Game 4, the Celtics do not slow down after returning from the locker room, quite the contrary. Two new 3-pointers, this time from Derrick White and Al Horford, increase the gap to +26 (78-52). Despite the Luka Doncic – Kyrie Irving duo at 9/26 on shots and 1/11 on 3-pointers, Dallas is hanging on while Boston's attack begins to be stagnant. Josh Green's 4th 3-pointer even brings the Mavs below the twenty-unit mark (82-65).
Even Luka Doncic's first two winning shots don't change the situation. Jayson Tatum does not let up the pressure and scores 9 points in the last quarter to lead the Celtics to the promised land. Sixteen years to the day after their last title in 2008, Boston is back at the top of the NBA! With an 18th NBA title, Boston gets back in front of the Lakers!
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Boston makes the difference at the end of the 1st and 2nd quarter. The importance of finishing each quarter well is an adage that NBA coaches repeat to their players during every game. Last night, the Celtics did this wonderfully during the first two periods to the detriment of the Mavs. Boston finished the first quarter on a 9-0 run and the second on a 19-7 run, giving them a 21-point halftime lead. It was above all the Boston defense that launched these “runs”, forcing loose balls and difficult shots to be able to go in transition and kill the Mavs at the circle and behind the 3-point line.
– Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving exit through the back door. Formidable during Game 4, the star duo from Dallas got through this night against Boston's intractable defense. Kyrie Irving in particular, after two complicated first matches on the floor of TD Garden, once again delivered a performance unworthy of his standing. The former Celtic finished with 9 points at 3/12 on shots. Luka Doncic (18 points on 8/20 shooting, 11 rebounds, 4 lost balls) did a little better, but to have a chance of returning the series to Dallas, the Mavs needed a heroic match from their superstar.
– Unchallenged domination of Boston. After dominating the regular season, the Celtics finished their campaign with an exclamation point on their season. They dominated the rebound (+, including +6 on the offensive rebound), and they dominated the three-point line thanks to their drives and their unselfish play. In addition to the formidable performance of the Tatum – Brown duo, the Celtics were also able to count on a match full of Jrue Holiday, omnipresent in his activity, and Derrick White!
– Jayson Tatum MVP of Game 5, Jaylen Brown MVP of the Finals. It all started with this duo during the 2017-2018 season, and logically it was thanks to them that Boston won its 18th title, an NBA record, seven years later. Jayson Tatum was on a mission throughout the game. He attacked the Dallas defense to score but also create for his teammates. He scored 16 points in the first half, and 15 in the second to go with 11 assists and 8 rebounds. Jaylen Brown, his lieutenant, was on the same wavelength, scoring 15 of his 21 points in the first half to go with 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and iron defense on Luka Doncic.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
