The Boston Celtics advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the third straight year after beating the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5, 113-98. However, they will face a more formidable opponent in the next round. According to NBA news reports, their next opponent is the Indiana Pacers or the New York Knicks.
The Eastern Conference finals have become a familiar battleground for the Boston Celtics, who have made it there an impressive six times in the last eight seasons. Yet, despite their consistent presence, they are still pursuing their first title in this stage of the competition, adding an element of anticipation to their upcoming games.
The Cavaliers were in a precarious position heading into Wednesday’s game since All-Star center Jarrett Allen experienced guard Donovan Mitchell and guard Caris LeVert were all declared out for Game 5. The Celtics had already defeated the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs without Jimmy Butler. Thus, this wasn’t their first encounter with a short-handed opponent.
The Celtics Advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals
It’s hard to hold them responsible when the Celtics beat injured teams. Kristaps Porzingis’s continued absence due to a calf injury has also left the Celtics short-handed. The pattern must be considered when assessing the Celtics’ prospects for the subsequent round.
The surviving Cleveland players displayed remarkable resiliency despite overwhelming adversity, maintaining a lead in the single digits well into the fourth quarter. It wasn’t easy for Boston, but they battled through it and put the game away with a 13-2 advantage.
Spotlight on Horford
Although Jayson Tatum had a fantastic game (25 points, ten boards, and nine assists), Al Horford—who started for Porzingis—may have been the difference-maker. Horford played 35 minutes with 22 points (8 for 15 from the field), 15 rebounds, and five assists.
Horford became the third player in NBA history to score 20 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists in a playoff game at 37 years of age, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and LeBron James.
Young Evan Mobley was the Cavaliers’ go-to in Mitchell’s absence; he scored 31 points (on 14 of 23 shooting), grabbed seven rebounds, and dished out four assists. Significant contributions came from Marcus Morris, who was acquired for little to nothing in the middle of the season. Morris scored 25 points on 10-of-13 shooting while coming off the bench. While waiting for the Eastern Conference Finals, you can open a basketball sportsbook with a pay per head solution.
Knicks vs. Pacers Game 6
The short-handed Knicks concluded their series triumph against the Philadelphia 76ers with a Game 6 away victory at Wells Fargo Arena, following a difficult back-and-forth first-round encounter.
Now, after only two weeks, the same thing is happening in New York. If the team beats the Indiana Pacers on the road on Friday, they may win their second-round clash and go to the Eastern Conference Finals.
When asked about the parallels between Friday’s game and their five-game back-and-forth with Indiana, head coach Tom Thibodeau emphasized that the team must remain focused on the task since the game is different. You can bet on Game with BetPhoenix.ag Sportsbook.
