he Boston Celtics are off to a strong start in their quest to secure an 18th NBA championship at home.
The Celtics closed out the first quarter of Monday’s NBA Finals Game 5 on a 9-0 run and took a 67-46 lead over the Dallas Mavericks into halftime, leaving them 24 basketball minutes away from a championship. A mix of strong team defense and double-digit scoring from Jayson Tatum (16 points), Jaylen Brown (15 points) and Jrue Holiday (11 points) lead the way.
Can the Mavericks mount a second-half rally, or will the Celtics celebrate a championship at home?
Boston Celtics 2024 NBA Champions
![](https://focuzdotmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-35.png)
![](https://focuzdotmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-38-1024x438.png)
![](https://focuzdotmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-15-1024x437.png)
The Boston Celtics easily took care of the Dallas Mavericks 106-88 in Game Five of the 2024 NBA Finals on Monday night, securing the storied franchise’s 18th championship and first since 2008.
![](https://focuzdotmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-28-1024x444.png)
![](https://focuzdotmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-39.png)
The Mavericks had been keeping pace at the start of the game, but Boston went on a 9-0 run to close out the first quarter, giving them a 10-point lead that then grew to 21 by halftime. Dallas never came within single digits for the entire second half.
![](https://focuzdotmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-30-1024x461.png)
![](https://focuzdotmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-19-1024x445.png)
The Celtics cruised through the regular season with the best record in the NBA and then did even better in the playoffs, never trailing in a series while winning 15 of their first 17 games. They opened a 3-0 lead on Dallas, but the Mavericks avoided elimination with a 122-84 victory on Friday night — the third-biggest blowout in Finals history.
![](https://focuzdotmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-25-1024x435.png)
![](https://focuzdotmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-31-1024x436.png)
That sent the series back to Boston, where the Celtics closed it out. Boston’s 18 NBA titles are the most all-time, with Monday night’s win moving them one ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers, now in second place with 17 championships.
![](https://focuzdotmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-29-1024x458.png)
![](https://focuzdotmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-22.png)
Kyrie Irving acknowledges mind-set while in Boston led to wrong approach with Celtics legends
![](https://focuzdotmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-20.png)
![](https://focuzdotmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-16.png)
![](https://focuzdotmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-17-1024x320.png)
![](https://focuzdotmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-42-1024x507.png)
The Boston Celtics are about to be the 2024 NBA champions and NBA Finals victory shirts, hats, pennants and more items will be available to buy right after the final whistle as long as you know where to look. No matter where you are as this Celtics team makes history with a Game 5 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, you may be looking to get a new 2024 NBA title victory shirt, hat or other championship victory gear to savor the moment.
![](https://focuzdotmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-11.png)
When they are available after the final whistle, here’s the official Nike branded Boston Celtics Locker Room Edition NBA Title T-shirt, which retails for $39.99 will be. It is the same shirt players will be wearing in the locker room and during postgame celebrations. You can get the long sleeve version of the same t-shirt for just $5 more ($44.99). There is also a Celtics locker room tee for women for $39.99, or youth sizes for the kids at $31.99. If you prefer a black tee, this Nike brand Texas Rangers Trophy T-Shirt with gold accents is clean and stylish, but is a little more expensive at $41.99.
![](https://focuzdotmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-12.png)
![](https://focuzdotmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-41-1024x430.png)
Sam Hauser
![](https://focuzdotmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-46.png)
![](https://focuzdotmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-45-1024x431.png)
![](https://focuzdotmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/b97w329f.png)
![](https://focuzdotmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-44.png)
![](https://focuzdotmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-13-1024x168.png)
What’s next for Mavericks, Luka Doncic? Dallas reached the NBA Finals, but there are still flaws to fix
Jaylen Brown named 2024 NBA Finals MVP award
Shaquille O’Neal Didn’t Hesitate When Naming His ‘Favorite’ WNBA Player
Worst NBA Finals ever? Fans sound off after Celtics dump Mavericks for 18th championship
2024 NBA Finals MVP: Celtics’ Jaylen Brown edges Jayson Tatum as Boston wins historic title
Jaylen Brown was named the 2024 Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP after the Boston Celtics clinched their 18th title Monday night against the Dallas Mavericks. Brown received seven of the 11 MVP votes, with the other four going to teammate Jayson Tatum. The Boston Celtics star signed the biggest contract in NBA history last offseason, and he has more than lived up to it this postseason. He also won the Larry Bird Eastern Conference finals MVP award last round as the Celtics swept the Indiana Pacers to reach the Finals. Now, he has become the first player in the relatively brief history of that award to also take home Finals MVP.
Brown averaged 20.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5 assists in the Finals victory over the Dallas Mavericks. He was also the primary defender on Luka Doncic, and while Doncic did post large individual numbers, Boston’s willingness to let defenders like Brown handle him one-on-one made it possible for them to shut down the Maverick role players. Brown hit a number of huge shots throughout the Finals. His mid-range jumper with roughly one minute remaining in Game 3, for instance, was possibly the dagger that won that contest for Boston.
Wildfire near Colorado-Utah border forces evacuations
Residents are being evacuated in Loma as a wildfire moves quickly toward homes in the Rabbit Valley Area.
Preliminary reports show the fire may have already raced through approximately 500 acres.
Warnings have gone out to the 300 block of Old Highway 6 and 50 to prepare for a possible evacuation. Lower Valley Fire Department and Mesa County Sheriff’s Office have set up resources at the Loma store for those already evacuated.
More Stories
Tesla’s Cybertruck Will Rapidly Depreciate From Now On
Was it really about the Lil Wayne Concert
NBA PLAYOFFS