The Dallas Mavericks are back in the northeast to play the Boston Celtics for Game 5 of the NBA Finals. The game starts at 7:30 pm CST and will be broadcast nationally by ABC. Dallas forced Game 5 with a dominating performance in Game 4, blowing the Celtics right off the floor. Now that Boston is back at home, they’ll have the crowd at their backs and the pressure to win now. Dallas is playing bonus basketball at this point. They played for their lives once, won, and are now trying to do so again. It’s a different kind of pressure entirely. But I think this team lives for pressure. Here’s the main things to know before the game:

• WHO: Dallas Mavericks at Boston Celtics
• WHAT: Game 2 of the NBA Finals
• WHERE: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
• WHEN: 7:30 p.m. CST
• HOW: ABC

On the injury report, Luka Doncic is listed as probable with his array of nagging injuries. Kristaps Porzingis is questionable with his bizarre ankle injury. Expect Luka to play and I expect Porzingis will sit. Or at least he won’t play much and only in specific circumstances.

They lost games two and three just so. Dallas won Game 4 with a classic team performance. Game 5 might require perfection. But not the kind you’re thinking of, they don’t have to hit every shot or make every play. But like in the clip above from the Friday Night Lights movie, they must play for each other and within the scope of what got them here to begin with. If they do that, it they lay it all out there again, I believe they will win. If they do this and don’t win, well, that’s enough for me.

We’ll be back after the game with our usual stuff. Thanks so much for hanging out here at Mavs Moneyball. Till the end. Let’s go Mavs.

The Boston Celtics will now try for the second time to win an NBA record 18th championship while the Mavericks will try to force the series back to Dallas when they play Game 5 Monday in Boston.

Dallas is coming off the third-biggest win in Finals history after a 38-point rout of Boston in Game 4, and the Mavericks have now outscored the Celtics in the series. Obviously more importantly, they still trail 3-1.

What is the schedule?

Game 1 Boston 107, Dallas 89

Game 2 Boston 105, Dallas 98

Game 3 Boston 106, Dallas 99

Game 4 Dallas 122, Boston 84

Game 5 Dallas at Boston, Monday, June 17, 6:30 p.m. Mountain/7:30 p.m. Central, ABC

Game 6 (if necessary) Boston at Dallas, Thursday, June 20, 6:30 p.m. Mountain/7:30 p.m. Central, ABC

Game 7 (if necessary) Dallas at Boston, Sunday, June 23, 6 p.m. Mountain/7:30 p.m. Central, ABC

Who is favored in Game 5?

Boston is a 6.5-point favorite on their home court. Boston is -286 on the money line while Dallas is +228..

Who is favored to win the series?

Boston is -3500. Dallas is +1400.

Who is favored to win MVP?

Jaylen Brown: -250

Jayson Tatum: +250

Luka Doncic: +1200

Jrue Holiday: +5000

Derrick White: +15000

Kyrie Irving: +20000

What are picks for Game 5?

Bleacher Nation: Celtics 119, Mavericks 108

ESPN: Celtics have a 70.7% chance to beat Mavericks in Game 5.

Sports Betting Dime: Celtics 121.3, Mavericks 114.3.

Odds Trader: Celtics 108, Mavericks 102.

FOX Sports: Celtics 119, Mavericks 108.

Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on Twitter.

FC Dallas took a crucial step towards recovery in the Major League Soccer (MLS) season by defeating St. Louis CITY SC 2-0. Under interim coach Peter Luccin, the Texans displayed cohesive and determined soccer, showcasing not only in their victory but also in the affirmation of talents like Jesús Ferreira and Nkosi Tafari.

The game started well for FC Dallas, as Ferreira skillfully converted a penalty in the 28th minute, putting the team ahead. This goal not only highlighted the player’s technical ability but also his importance in Luccin’s attacking setup.

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Another standout was Nkosi Tafari, whose headed goal from a corner not only reinforced his defensive capabilities but also his presence in attacking set pieces. This marked Tafari’s first goal of the regular season, adding to his five career goals for FC Dallas. His contribution exemplifies the balance Luccin seeks between defensive solidity and effectiveness in offensive opportunities.

In addition to the goals, the defense led by goalkeeper Maarten Paes deserves praise, especially for his eight crucial saves that secured the team’s fourth clean sheet of 2024.

The night also marked a historic milestone for FC Dallas, with their eighth consecutive sellout at Toyota Stadium in 2024.

Peter Luccin’s successful debut as interim coach should not be underestimated. Following in the footsteps of Colin Clarke and Marco Ferruzzi, Luccin not only proves himself a suitable choice to lead FC Dallas during this transitional period but also emerges as a legitimate candidate for permanent leadership should the positive results continue.