Boston outclassed Cleveland 113-98 this Wednesday and qualified for the NBA Eastern Conference finals by winning the series 4 to 1. In the West, Dallas took a 3-2 advantage against Oklahoma by winning imposing 104-92.
It is a habit. For the third consecutive year, Boston qualified for its conference finals. The Celtics will face the New York Knicks or the Indiana Pacers (3 to 2 so far) for a place in the NBA finals. Led by Jayson Tatum, author of 25 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists, the Celtics won their series 4 victories to 1 against the Cavaliers weakened by injuries.
Before this Game 5, Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert were missing for the Cavs, condemned to the feat to overthrow the best team of the regular season in the League. The feat did not take place, despite Evan Mobley’s 33 points and Marcus Morris’ 25 coming off the bench.
Boston will now try to improve its recent record in the Eastern Conference finals, which is four defeats in five appearances since the 2016-2017 season. “Every year presents different challenges,” Tatum recalled. “We have combat experience. We know what to do. We just have to put individual problems aside and try to get over this milestone.”
The 37-year-old Dominican Al Horford, with 22 points and 15 rebounds, also strongly contributed to the Celtics’ qualification. “Tonight, we saw his talent, his gift is quite simply passion, inspiration, tenacity, fighting spirit,” praised his trainer Joe Mazzulla.
First in the Western Conference regular season, the Thunder is on the verge of elimination, led 3-2 by Dallas after Game 5 Wednesday in Oklahoma City (104-92 for Dallas). Mavericks star Luka Doncic had a triple-double finishing with 31 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists. The Mavs lead the series 3-2 and can clinch a spot in the Western Conference finals by winning Game 6 on Saturday in Dallas.
“We just have to win one game out of two, and we’re there,” Doncic said. “It’s 3-2, but it’s nothing. We have to conclude and keep the same mentality, continued the player before returning to his performance in Game 4. Sometimes I forget that I like playing basketball. “I focused on going out on the court with a smile and playing basketball.”
Derrick Jones Jr. added 19 points for Dallas, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tried to make the difference for the Thunder with his 30 points, eight assists and six rebounds.
