The Boston Celtics returned to their dwelling flooring in Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals with the possibility to clinch the collection and safe the 18th championship in franchise historical past. The Dallas Mavericks couldn’t even make it to halftime earlier than Boston turned the sport right into a blowout.
The Celtics took a 67-46 lead into halftime in opposition to Dallas in Game 5 on Monday night time. Boston’s offense led a cascade of shot-making, rim attacking, and ferocious protection. The Celtics saved their most devastating bucket of the primary half for final.
Payton Pritchard didn’t play in Game 5 till Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla checked him in as Dallas went to the free throw line with 4 seconds left within the half. Pritchard had already hit a halfcourt in NBA Finals, beating the third quarter buzzer again in Game 2. He out-did himself in Game 5, delivering a buzzer-beating dagger to Dallas simply earlier than halftime. Watch the play right here:
Pritchard checked in simply to take a halfcourt heave, and he drained it. Mazzulla stays a mad genius.
It’s the longest shot made within the NBA Finals within the final 20 years, based on ESPN.
Pritchard has been the Celtics’ first guard off the bench all season lengthy. He doesn’t play massive minutes for the group, however like every function participant on a championship group, he’ll quickly be beloved in Boston ceaselessly. These halfcourt photographs within the NBA Finals shall be replayed for the remainder of his life. Celtics followers are already loving this one:
The Celtics had been the perfect group within the NBA all season. For the primary time within the Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown period, they finish the season on high of the league.
