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.

Follow MLS Multiplex on X (Twitter).

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.

The first match for FC Dallas under interim manager Luccin was a rollercoaster of a win.

Last Sunday, FC Dallas announced the departure of third-year manager Nico Estévez after a start to the season that saw them second from bottom in the MLS’ Western Conference and without a singular road win.

Looking for a new manager bounce on Saturday, and their first win since May 12, FC Dallas got that with a 2-0 win over fellow Western Conference bottom dweller St. Louis City SC.

The win was far from pretty, as with just 20 minutes gone in the match, St. Louis’ midfielder Célio Pompeu suffered a gruesome ankle injury that stopped the match for multiple minutes. Pompeu left the field on a stretcher and with an air cast affixed to his foot. Both sides were visibly shaken afterward.

In the 28th minute, FC Dallas’ Paul Arriola went down after a physical challenge in the St. Louis penalty area, winning a penalty kick. FCD’s Jesús Ferreira stepped up to bury the penalty past St. Louis’ Roman Bürki.

The same St. Louis defender that gave up the penalty, Joakim Nilsson, left the match in the 36th minute shortly after he pulled up with a hamstring injury.

In the second half, FCD was thoroughly outplayed by St. Louis, having to bunker in and rely on keeper Maarten Paes to make heroic save after save to keep the visitors at bay and their narrow one-goal lead intact. Through the 2024 season, Paes has been incredibly reliable in goal, despite FCD’s poor form.

Against the run of play, FC Dallas’s record-signing Petar Musa found the back of the net in the 72nd minute, only for the goal to be ruled out after a brief VAR review.

St. Louis struggled to take advantage of their stranglehold of possession for the remainder of the second half. Spurning chance after chance, with seldom opportunities coming for FCD on the break. That was until the 81st minute when FCD defender Nkosi Tafari headed in a cross for Dallas’ second goal on the evening. Tafari after scoring sprinted over to the FCD touchline and celebrated with interim manager Peter Luccin.

FC Dallas’ win on the season brings them to 17 points — one shy of St. Louis’ 18 — and more importantly, starts Luccin’s reign on a positive note.

The real test for FC Dallas will come this upcoming Wednesday when they face Minnesota United at Toyota Stadium. Minnesota is in third place in the Western Conference. The last time the two clubs matched up was former manager Estévez’s final game in charge, ending in a 1-1 draw at Allianz Field.

Find more FC Dallas coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.