The Boston Celtics will advance to the Eastern Conference finals after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 113-98 in Game 5 on Wednesday, clinching their series 4-1.
Jayson Tatum led the way for the Celtics with 25 points, 10 boards, and nine assists, while Evan Mobley scored a playoff career-high 33 points in defeat for the severely depleted Cavs, who were missing Donovan Mitchell and Caris LeVert (both players had been ruled out prior to Game 5).
Boston will face the winner of the series between the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers; New York currently leads that series 3-2, with Game 6 scheduled for Friday night.
**
The Dallas Mavericks topped the Oklahoma City Thunder 104-92 on Wednesday night to take a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference semifinal series.
The Mavericks’ Luka Doncic scored 31 points in a triple-double, while Derrick Jones Jr. scored a playoff career-high 19 points and P.J. Washington Jr. added 10 points and 10 rebounds for Dallas, which shot 52.6% from the floor. The Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a strong game, scoring 30 points despite the loss.
Game 6 will head back to Dallas, set to take place on Saturday..
Editorial credit: Brocreative / Shutterstock.com