Celtics Top Cavaliers, 113-98
The Boston Celtics defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, 113-98, at TD Garden on Wednesday night in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference semifinal-round series. The Celtics have won the series, 4-1.
The Celtics (8-2 postseason) came into the night with even a bigger advantage than they already would have at home, as Donovan Mitchell (calf) was joined on the injured list by Caris LeVert (knee) for the Cavaliers (5-7 postseason). However, Boston encountered a very feisty Cleveland squad to open the contest, and both teams battled to a 28-28 draw through one. The hosts were able to open up a seven-point edge over the middle quarters, but the visitors were still within three with 9:32 remaining. That flipped the switch for the Celtics, however, as they finished on a 25-13 run to win the game and series going away.
Evan Mobley led the Cavaliers with 33 points, supplementing them with seven rebounds, four assists, two blocks and one steal. Marcus Morris totaled 25 points, adding three rebounds and two steals. Max Strus delivered 12 points, nine assists and seven rebounds. Darius Garland registered 11 points, nine assists and two steals.
Jayson Tatum paced the Celtics with a 25-point, 10-rebound double-double that included nine assists and four steals. Al Horford generated a 22-point, 15-rebound double-double that included five assists, three blocks and one steal. Derrick White managed 18 points, six assists, five rebounds and two blocks. Jrue Holiday compiled 13 points, four assists and three rebounds. Jaylen Brown and Payton Pritchard turned in 11 points each, with Brown adding seven assists, four rebounds, one steal and one block.
The Celtics will now face the winner of the Knicks-Pacers series, which New York leads by a 3-2 margin heading into Game 6 on Friday night, in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Celtics (8-2 postseason) came into the night with even a bigger advantage than they already would have at home, as Donovan Mitchell (calf) was joined on the injured list by Caris LeVert (knee) for the Cavaliers (5-7 postseason). However, Boston encountered a very feisty Cleveland squad to open the contest, and both teams battled to a 28-28 draw through one. The hosts were able to open up a seven-point edge over the middle quarters, but the visitors were still within three with 9:32 remaining. That flipped the switch for the Celtics, however, as they finished on a 25-13 run to win the game and series going away.
Evan Mobley led the Cavaliers with 33 points, supplementing them with seven rebounds, four assists, two blocks and one steal. Marcus Morris totaled 25 points, adding three rebounds and two steals. Max Strus delivered 12 points, nine assists and seven rebounds. Darius Garland registered 11 points, nine assists and two steals.
Jayson Tatum paced the Celtics with a 25-point, 10-rebound double-double that included nine assists and four steals. Al Horford generated a 22-point, 15-rebound double-double that included five assists, three blocks and one steal. Derrick White managed 18 points, six assists, five rebounds and two blocks. Jrue Holiday compiled 13 points, four assists and three rebounds. Jaylen Brown and Payton Pritchard turned in 11 points each, with Brown adding seven assists, four rebounds, one steal and one block.
The Celtics will now face the winner of the Knicks-Pacers series, which New York leads by a 3-2 margin heading into Game 6 on Friday night, in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Mavs Defeat Thunder, 104-92, Take 3-2 Series Lead
The Dallas Mavericks defeated the host Oklahoma City Thunder, 104-92, in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals at Paycom Center on Wednesday.
Dallas leads this series, 3-2.
Dallas won or tied all four individual quarters in this game, riding a 54-44 first half to their win. They actually never gave up the lead after the opening five minutes, getting their lead up to 18 points in the fourth quarter. The Mavericks shot 53 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range while holding the Thunder to 43 percent from the field and 25 percent from long range. Dallas also out-rebounded Oklahoma City, 46-33, while out-assisting them, 27-20.
The Mavericks (3-2) were led by Luka Doncic, collecting 31 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists. Derrick Jones scored 19 points. Kyrie Irving compiled 12 points, two rebounds and four assists, while PJ Washington provided 10 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. Dereck Lively led the bench with nine points and seven boards.
The Thunder (2-3) were led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, accruing 30 points, six rebounds, eight assists and two steals. Chet Holmgren had 13 points and four boards. Luguez Dort tallied 12 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals, while Jalen Williams amassed 12 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Game 6 will be in Dallas on Friday.
Dallas leads this series, 3-2.
Dallas won or tied all four individual quarters in this game, riding a 54-44 first half to their win. They actually never gave up the lead after the opening five minutes, getting their lead up to 18 points in the fourth quarter. The Mavericks shot 53 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range while holding the Thunder to 43 percent from the field and 25 percent from long range. Dallas also out-rebounded Oklahoma City, 46-33, while out-assisting them, 27-20.
The Mavericks (3-2) were led by Luka Doncic, collecting 31 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists. Derrick Jones scored 19 points. Kyrie Irving compiled 12 points, two rebounds and four assists, while PJ Washington provided 10 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. Dereck Lively led the bench with nine points and seven boards.
The Thunder (2-3) were led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, accruing 30 points, six rebounds, eight assists and two steals. Chet Holmgren had 13 points and four boards. Luguez Dort tallied 12 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals, while Jalen Williams amassed 12 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Game 6 will be in Dallas on Friday.