Boston Celtics vs Dallas Mavericks NBA Finals Game 5: Celtics 106, Mavericks 88, stats, highlights, analysis (2024)

BOSTON — The Celtics entered the season as one of the title favorites, but also as a team with plenty of questions: Could Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown completely and totally mesh and get this team over the hump? Was Joe Mazzulla up to the task in his second season? Could Kristaps Porzingis provide the combination of shooting and rim protection this team needed? Did this team have enough depth?

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

The Boston Celtics lived up to the high expectations all season long — 64 wins, a historically good offense — and on Monday night at the TD Garden capped it off with an 18th NBA championship.

The Celtics started out Game 5 with intense defensive energy in front of a hyped crowd wanting a coronation of their team and gave the people what they wanted — Boston dominated this close-out game from the opening tip and went on to a comfortable 106-88 win behind 31 points from Jayson Tatum.

Jaylen Brown — who was an offensive force all series (21 points in Game 5) and had the primary Luka Doncic defensive assignment — earned the Bill Russell Finals MVP trophy.

Brad Stevens put together what was the best team — emphasis on team — in the NBA this season and their journey ended where it should have: On a stage next to Adam Silver passing around the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

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Game Update
FINAL SCORE:
Boston Celtics 106
Dallas Mavericks 88

The Boston Celtics are the fitting NBA champions for 2023-24 — they were the best team in the regular season then easily handled every challenge in front of them in the playoffs. This is well deserved.

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown get their first, but save some praise for Brad Stevens, who bet on Kristaps Porzingis, snapped up Jrue Holiday and made this the team to beat.

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Game Update
3:10 remaining in the season
Dallas Mavericks 85
Boston Celtics 106

Odds Update:
Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics:
Spread: Boston -19.5 | O/U: 203.5

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Game Update
4:39 left in the NBA season
Dallas Mavericks 78
Boston Celtics 102

It is all but over, the Celtics are in total control and Dallas’ legs and will are just gone. Adam Silver is getting ready for his turn in the spotlight.

Odds Update
Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics
Odds on the Moneyline no longer offered
Spread: Boston -21.5 | O/U: 198.5

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This will be the Celtics’ record 18th NBA title, breaking their tie at 17 with the Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers.

The Boston Celtics have also won titles in 1957, 1959-1966, 1968-1969, 1974, 1976, 1981, 1984, 1986 and 2008.

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Game Update
9:08 left in the fourth quarter
Dallas Mavericks 67
Boston Celtics 88

Boston’s defense is shutting down Dallas — the Mavericks might not score 21 more points this game, let alone enough to make up that deficit.

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It’s appropriate that the Celtics are winning this game with their defense. For all the talk of their 3-point shooting volume and historically good offense, what sets this Boston team apart is there is not a weak defender on the floor in any clutch moment. Holiday and White are the best defensive backcourt in the league, Tatum and Brown are completely switchable top-flight defenders, and there is plenty of rim protection.
—Kurt Helin (@basketballtalk)

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Patrick Mahomes speaks for every Mavericks fan regarding Payton Pritchard.

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Game Update
End of the third quarter
Dallas Mavericks 67
Boston Celtics 86

It feels like the party in Boston is about to go to another level, Dallas just does not have it in them tonight (honestly, both teams look tired and the third quarter was not exactly pretty either way).

Odds Update
Dallas Mavericks vs. Boston Celtics
Odds on the Moneyline no longer offered
Spread: Boston -17.5 | O/U: 203.5

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Kristaps Porzingis has given Boston everything he could, playing 10 minutes off the bench to spell Horford and scoring 3 points. But he is not moving well and the Mavericks are targeting him every time he steps on the court.
—Kurt Helin (@basketballtalk)

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Game Update
4:05 remaining in the third
Dallas Mavericks 64
Boston Celtics 82

Jason Kidd has gone to Tim Hardaway Jr. for a spark, he hit a lot of 3s in garbage time of Game 4. Dallas got the lead under 20 and Mazzulla called a timeout, wanting to stop the run before it did serious damage.

Odds Update
Dallas Mavericks (+2200) vs. Boston Celtics (-10000 )
Spread: Boston -16.5 | O/U: 214.5

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Luka Doncic is generating looks, but he is 0-of-5 from 3, and as a team Dallas is 6-of-23 from beyond the arc. Boston is 12-of-26, 46.2% from 3 (and for those scoring along that’s 18 more points from deep). Boston also has four more points in the paint.
—Kurt Helin (@basketballtalk)

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Game Update
9:10 remaining in the third
Dallas Mavericks 52
Boston Celtics 78

No run from Dallas yet, do the Mavericks have one in them or are they about to let go of the rope?

Odds Update
Dallas Mavericks (+2500) vs. Boston Celtics (-15000)
Spread: Boston -22.5 | O/U: 221.5

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Dallas needs to make a push in the first six minutes of the third quarter, or this could get away from them fast (they are already down 21 at the half, but there is real championship energy in the building now).
—Kurt Helin (@basketballtalk)

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Has Jayson Tatum passed Jaylen Brown in the race for Finals MVP?

Jayson Tatum had a monster first half with 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting, plus nine assists. Brown has 15 points (6-of-14). While Brown was the odds-on MVP favorite coming into this game, Tatum has seriously closed the gap. Let’s just say it’s a discussion on press row amongst people who have a vote (not me, but some around me).

One more big half and it could happen. The race is unquestionably very close now.
—Kurt Helin (@basketballtalk)

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Game Update
Halftime
Dallas Mavericks 46
Boston Celtics 67

Odds Update
Dallas Mavericks (+1800) vs. Boston Celtics (-6500)
Spread: Celtics -19.5 | O/U: 217.5

Leading scorers:

Jayson Tatum 16 (and nine assists)
Jaylen Brown 15
Jrue Holiday 11
Derrick Jones Jr. 10

Doncic and Irving have a combined 14 points on 6-of-18 shooting and 1-of-7 from 3.

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ARE YOU KIDDING ME!??! AGAIN?!?!?
Payton Pritchard checks in and hits another buzzer-beater from half-court — and Boston is up 21 at the half. This is their game to take.

—Kurt Helin (@basketballtalk)

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Boston’s veterans can taste it and are setting the tone — Al Horford took Daniel Gafford to the basket like it was 2015, Derrick White is hitting the floor and bleeding, then after a quick stoppage he stays in and hits a corner 3.

—Kurt Helin (@basketballtalk)

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Game Update
4:53 remaining in the second quarter
Dallas 39
Boston 48

Joe Mazzulla calls time out to settle his team after he decided to go small and it backfired — a couple of misses led to transition lay-ups for the Mavericks. Dallas is much more dangerous when Doncic is throwing hit-ahead passes and their athletic wings are attacking downhill.

Odds Update
Dallas Mavericks (+360) vs. Boston Celtics (-540)
Spread: Boston -10.5 | O/U: 211.5

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Game Update
6:56 remaining in the second quarter
Dallas 31
Boston 46

Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are a combined 4-of-13 shooting overall, 1-of-4 from 3, for 10 points. That’s not good enough if Dallas is going to have a chance to come back and win this game.

Odds Update
Dallas Mavericks (+550) vs. Boston Celtics (-920)
Spread: Boston -13.5 | O/U: 213.5

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The 3-pointers are starting to fall for Boston, a couple of catch-and-shoots from Sam Hauser, then a corner 3 from Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday hit one from the wing. Dallas’ defense strategy is to keep a big near the rim and take away the easy stuff, but Boston has been focused on getting the ball to guys on the move toward the basket, and they still have 18 points in the paint. If the 3s start falling, too, and the Celtics are scoring inside and out, this could get ugly for Dallas (which is already down double digits).

—Kurt Helin (@basketballtalk)

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Celtics close the quarter on a 9-0 run, getting turnovers and stops and turning them into a couple Jaylen Brown dunks, plus a Sam Hauser 3. Boston gets a little breathing room after a quarter. Dallas shot 7-of-20 (35%) in the first quarter.

Game Update
End of the first quarter
Dallas 18
Boston 28

Odds Update
Dallas Mavericks (+325) vs. Boston Celtics (-475)
Spread: Celtics -10.5 | O/U: 203.5

Leading scorers:
Jaylen Brown 6
Jrue Holiday 6
Luka Doncic 5 (2-of-6 shooting)
Derrick White 5

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Game Update
3:56 remaining in the first quarter
Dallas 13
Boston 16

Jason Kidd said the Mavericks would test Porzingis when he entered the game, but they have done that not by driving into him but forcing the guy who missed time with a foot/ankle issue to rotate and cover ground in space. Dallas got a couple of 3s from Josh Green out of it.

Odds Update
Dallas Mavericks (+200) vs. Boston Celtics (-270)
Spread: Celtics -7.5 | O/U: 203.5

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Kristaps Porzingis entered the game with 6:49 left and the Celtics up five — that is the loudest the building has been all night. Celtics fans know what a difference he can make.

—Kurt Helin (@basketballtalk)

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Game Update
7:26 remaining in the first quarter
Dallas 2
Boston 9

This Celtics crowd senses a coronation of the Jays and is loud and very into this game. The Boston defenders seem to be feeding off of it.

Odds Update
Dallas Mavericks (+250) vs. Boston Celtics (-345)
Spread: Celtics -9.5 | O/U: 203.5

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Boston has dialed up the defensive intensity from Game 4, working especially hard to deny Doncic and Irving the ball early in the clock. Dallas started the game 1-of-6, Dallas 3-of-8 — Jrue Holiday is 3-of-3 and nobody else has a bucket.
—Kurt Helin (@basketballtalk)

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We are underway in Game 5 — will there be a Game 6?

Boston won the tip and Jrue Holiday scored in the paint to open the game (for those that bet the first bucket, he was +850).

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The usual starting fives for both teams (Porzingis is coming off the bench).

Dallas Mavericks: Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Derrick Jones Jr. P.J. Washington, Daniel Gafford.
Boston Celtics: Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford.

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The celebrities are out in force for a potential NBA Finals close-out game. In the Garden tonight include:

• Jack Harlow
• Donnie Wahlberg
• Joey McIntyre
• Maria Menounos
• Drake Maye (Patriots)
• Ja’Whaun Bentley (Patriots)
• Matt Grzelcyk (Bruins)
• Jim Montgomery (Bruins)

Then there are the Celtics alumni, including:
• ML Carr
• Eddie House
• Dana Barros
• Leon Powe
• Tacko Fall
• Grant Williams
• Jason Terry

—Kurt Helin (@basketballtalk)

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There is a real close-out energy from the fans in the TD Garden tonight — many were in their seats nearly half-an-hour before the pre-game ceremonies even started, “Let’s go Celtics” chants were breaking out, and when the Celtics came out for their layup line it was nearly as loud as any point in Games 1 and 2.

Not that any of that is phasing Luka Doncic, who thrives in these kinds of moments.

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Here are the odds for Game 5:
Dallas Mavericks (+205) vs. Boston Celtics (-250)
Spread: Celtics -6.5 | O/U: 210

Here are the most popular Player Prop bets for Game 5:
Sam Hauser under 2.5 rebounds (-165)
Payton Pritchard under 1.5 assists (-140)
Luka Doncic under 32.5 points (-110)
Josh Green over 2.5 rebounds (-150)
Kyrie Irving under 23.5 points (-110)

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NBC Sports betting analyst Vaughn Dalzell has his picks for Game 5 — and he likes Luka Doncic to get off to a slow start.

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Kristaps Porzingis will be back on the floor for the Celtics in Game 5.

“Yeah, he’s available. Expect to see him tonight,” Boston coach Joe Mazzulla said, adding there is no minutes restriction (although, don’t bet on him playing a lot).

This is a huge boost for the Celtics, both on the court and emotionally in a potential close-out game.

Through the first two games of this series, the Celtics were +25 when Porzingis was on the court and, not coincidentally, +25 for the series. Boston has gone 1-1 with him out and the series has felt much more even.

“What does it change?” Mavericks’ coach Jason Kidd said of Porzingis’ return. “Just his ability to score in Game 1 and 2, and we have to be better. We’ve got to make him put it on the floor where he just can’t catch-and-shoot. Then defensively, we have to be aware of his shot blocking. And so we’ve got to account for him when we do drive it to the paint that he’s one that can change or block shots, and we have to be better at that. In Game 1 and 2, we weren’t very good.”

When Porzingis enters the game, expect Dallas to test how well he moves.

“With him on the floor, we’ll see how he moves, but I think that healthy or not healthy -- I mean, healthy, we are going to still check to see how he moves,” Kidd said.

—Kurt Helin (@basketballtalk)

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The Bill Russell Finals MVP Award will be handed out tonight if the Boston Celtics claim their 18th title. Once Game 5 tips off, this betting market will be closed.

Here are the favorites to claim the award as MVP of the NBA Finals:

Jaylen Brown (-235)
Jayson Tatum (+255)
Luka Doncic (+1100)
Jrue Holiday (+3500)
Derrick White (+10000)
Kyrie Irving (+20000)

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For more details and depth, check out Kurt Helin’s preview of Game 5.

Boston Celtics vs Dallas Mavericks Game 5 preview: Three things to watch, injury news, odds

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Dallas has outscored Boston by a total of six points through four games of the NBA Finals (408 to 402) — which is not about who has been the better team, but rather it shows just how dominant the Mavericks were in Game 4.

Boston has been the better side through most of the Finals and has a 3-1 series lead to show for it. Now Boston is home for Game 5 looking to close out the series and hoist banner No. 18.

Was what Dallas did in Game 4 a bit of a fluke, or can they replicate it in the TD Garden?

NBC Sports’ Kurt Helin is at TD Garden and will offer his perspective throughout the game and NBC Sports’ Betting Analysts Jay Croucher, Drew Dinsick, and Vaughn Dalzell will also offer betting insights.

Check back throughout Game 5 for updates, insights and analysis, betting tips and more as we see if this is the final night of the NBA season, or if Dallas can force the series back to Texas for Game 6