NBA Finals: Boston Celtics beat Dallas Mavericks 106-88 to win record 18th title

Sam Harris, BBC Sport Journalist

With the best regular season and a fine play-off run, the Boston Celtics have earned the right to hang banner 18 in the rafters.

Their Finals performance had a hiccup in game four with a blowout loss, but they found a way to get the job done at home.

The triumph is the culmination of a lot of hard work from a team who have developed a strong mentality, and the result too of some bold front-office decisions.

At the forefront is franchise star Jayson Tatum, who has faced intense scrutiny and criticism during his bid to end a long personal wait for a championship.

Now that criticism is silenced. The 26-year-old embraced a new role in this series, showcasing his playmaking skills and leading the team.

You cannot mention one franchise star without the other, and Jaylen Brown also deserves significant credit – acting as the series’ momentum controller.

The Celtics have a tendency to build huge leads, then let their opponents claw their way back – a habit that reappeared in this series.

However, Brown’s silky handles, clutch shots, and explosive drives ensured that, game four aside, the Mavericks could not overhaul them.

The winning mentality has not just been shown on the court. After the Celtics lost the 2023 Eastern Conference final to the eighth-seeded Miami Heat, head of basketball operations Brad Stevens made huge calls to trade for both Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, two players who have been pivotal to Boston’s success.

Throw Derrick White and Al Horford into the mix – it is a championship-winning recipe.

Gone is the element of fear that plagued previous play-off match-ups against stars such as Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler.

While there are habits head coach Joe Mazzulla will aim to refine to sustain this level of success and build a potential dynasty, for now Boston sit atop the NBA as the champions.

The Celtics can revel in their achievement, knowing they have earned their place as kings of the hill.