BOSTON (Diya TV) —

After a 16-year wait, the Boston Celtics are on top of the NBA world. The C’s blew out the Dallas Mavericks 106-88 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals as they dominated their way to a record 18th championship. Boston only lost three games throughout this year’s playoffs. 

Star forward Jayson Tatum had a double-double with 31 points and 11 assists. But the other half of the C’s dynamic duo locked up Finals MVP. Jaylen Brown had 21 of his own and was rewarded for his consistent play throughout the Finals. 

“I share this with my brothers and my partner in crime Jayson Tatum,” said Brown during the trophy presentation. “We did this together.”

On the other side, Luka Doncic was on the losing end of this series even after putting up more than 25 points in every game. After Game 5, the Mavs star regretted how the Finals played out. 

“It doesn’t matter how much I was hurting. I was out there,” Doncic reflected. “I tried to play, but I didn’t do enough.”

Meanwhile, guard Kyrie Irving is excited for the future of this Mavericks team after a Finals berth for the first time since 2011. 

“I see an opportunity for us to really build our future in a positive manner, where this is almost like a regular thing for us and we’re competing for championships,” Irving noted

The offseason should be interesting for both teams as the Mavericks will look to continue building around the duo of Doncic and Irving. Derrick Lively emerged as a threat to post a double-double consistently through these playoffs and could be a candidate for the third option on the Mavs. Or that move could come through free agency or trade in which Dallas can make a splash. 

Meanwhile, the Celtics should aim to run it back with the core they have while trying to retain all the key pieces that helped them this season. Boston has also presented itself as a viable option for any free agent who wants to chase a ring due to the current roster construction and results. 

For now, the Celtics are the kings of the NBA and will celebrate just like all the 17 C’s championship teams that came before did.