Boston outclassed Cleveland 113-98 on 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 104-92.
It’s a habit: for the third year in a row, Boston qualified for the final of its conference. 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 on 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 issues aside and try to get over this hump.”
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.
Oklahoma on the brink
First in the regular season in the Western Conference, 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 finish and keep the same mentality.”
“Sometimes I forget that I love playing basketball,” said Doncic, who was furious about losing the lead in the Game 4 loss in Texas. “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.
