The Boston Celtics won Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals versus the Miami Heat at home behind strong games from Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Marcus Smart. The result prevented NBA playoff elimination for the Cs.
All four players scored over 20 points to help the Celtics force a Game 6.
“Obviously, I think it started in that first quarter,” Tatum said. “First playing with defense, Smart diving on the floor, getting out in transition, that was contagious. Smart played his ass off tonight. Everybody did. But D-White, Grant, Rob, Al, I think just how hard we played, how connected we were on the defensive end, sharing the ball, things like that.”
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics, Jimmy Butler & Miami Heat Updates
The Heat now lead the series 3-2. The Celtics are looking to become the first team in NBA history to win a postseason series after trailing 3-0.
“We played with great intensity on defense, and I think we just set the tone from the jump, and we’ve got to be able to do that and carry that over into the next game,” Brown said. “We have got to expect their best punch next game.”
The Celtics won Game 4 against the Heat in Miami, so the team has what it takes to win Game 6. Game 7 of this series would be in Boston, and the Celtics would likely be favored to win that contest since it’s difficult to win a Game 7 on the road.
“It’s going to be a grind,” White said. “They’re going to come back and play well. The crowd is going to be in it. It’s not going to be easy. It’s going to take 48 minutes of battling, scratching, clawing, and we’ve got to find a way to win.”
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics, Jimmy Butler & Miami Heat Updates
The Celtics made it to the NBA Finals last year, where they lost to the Golden State Warriors in six games. It’s going to be fascinating to see if Boston can win this series against Miami and make NBA history.
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