NBA Playoffs: Boston Celtics Advance to Eastern Conference Finals; Dallas Mavericks Take Series Lead.
Lewis Mason
Bylewis Mason
UPDATED: 16/05/2024, 09:41 GMT
Jayson Tatum scored 25 points to propel the Boston Celtics to the NBA Eastern Conference finals, where they will face either the New York Knicks or the Indiana Pacers. In other news, the Dallas Mavericks have moved closer to the Western Conference finals after going 3-2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, with Luka Doncic leading them to a 104-92 away victory in Game 5.
Jason Tatum
Image credit: Getty Images.
After defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 4-1 in the semi-finals, the Boston Celtics advance to their third consecutive Eastern Conference finals appearance.
They won 113-98 at TD Garden, securing a 4-1 lead in the best-of-seven semi-finals.
Despite missing a number of key players, including All-Star Donovan Mitchell and center Jarrett Allen, the Cavaliers remained competitive throughout the first three quarters and were within three points early in the fourth.
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However, Boston took control of the game with a 13-2 run, with Jayson Tatum finishing with 25 points and 10 rebounds.
He was overjoyed with the triumph, saying, “It just demonstrates the integrity of the squad and the company. Some may assume we’re all in this together, as if it’s expected. “We are doing something right.”
Al Horford scored 22 points, including six three-pointers, and applauded his team’s performance.
“We had a great opportunity at home to handle this, and I knew it was going to take a lot more than handling it normally,” he stated.
The Celtics will play either the New York Knicks or the Indiana Pacers for the Eastern Conference title and a spot in the NBA Finals.
The Knicks lead the series 3-2.
MAVERICKS MOVE CLOSER TO THE FINALS
The Dallas Mavericks have grabbed a 3-2 series lead against the Oklahoma City Thunder in their Western Conference semi-final.
Luka Doncic scored 31 points in the sixth encounter between the teams, and they won 104-92.
Doncic, who led the league in scoring during the regular season, had 10 rebounds and 11 assists for his second consecutive triple-double.
After his team blew a 14-point lead in Game 4, Doncic was thrilled with how quickly they recovered.
“It’s just our mentality,” he explained.
“We know that the last time we faced them at home, we let it go. It was our errors, and they made shots.”
The Mavericks can finish the series and go to the Western Conference finals if they win the next game on Sunday.
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