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Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics

The Celtics extend their season again with another blowout win over the Heat

By Alex Barth May 25th
May 25, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) and guard Derrick White (9) react during the first quarter of game five against the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals for the 2023 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Another blowout win means another game for the Celtics. For the second time in three days, with their backs against the wall, the C’s extended their season in blowout fashion.

Down 3-1 in the Eastern Conference Finals to the Miami Heat, but carrying the momentum of a Game 4 blowout win in South Beach, the Celtics returned home and repeated the effort with a 110-97 win at TD Garden in Game 5 on Thursday night.

  • Early on, the Celtics brought tremendous energy to the floor – especially on the defensive end. Four forced turnovers in the first five minutes of the game, and a couple of corner threes from Marcus Smart, helped the Celtics build a 15-5 lead at the first break. It was Jayson Tatum’s quarter from there – he scored 12 points in the frame to give the Celtics a 35-20 lead after one.

    That Celtics lead grew to as many as 18 points early in the second quarter, but then the Heat slowly started chipping away. They got as close as 13, when the under-3:00 timeout hit. In a key stretch in the game, the Celtics came out of that timeout with an 8-0 run to reestablish their cushion before the break. At halftime, Boston was up 61-44.

    The Celtics cruised through the third quarter. Their lead fluctuated between 15 and 20 points during the frame, before building to a then-game-high 23 points in the final minute. Heading into the final quarter, the score was 90-72 Boston.

    In the fourth quarter, the Celtics maintained that intensity. The Heat never got back within 15 points, and Joe Mazzulla was able to empty the bench with 3:20 to go.

  • Throughout the game, the Celtics showed a truly balanced scoring attack. Four players finished with between 21 and 24 points.

    Derrick White led all scorers with 24 points on 8-of-11 shooting, with a 6-of-8 mark from deep. Marcus Smart added 23 on 7-of-12 shooting and 4-of-6 threes, and also had five steals. Jayson Tatum had a 21-point, 11-assist double-double, and came up two rebounds shy of the triple-double. Jaylen Brown, in a bounce-back effort, scored 21 points as well.

    On the other side, Miami’s stars struggled. Bam Adebayo had a 16 points, while Jimmy Butler scored just 14 on a 5-of-10 shooting night.

    The Celtics will try to extend their season yet again Saturday night, when the series shifts back to Miami for Game 6. Coverage begins at 8 p.m. on 98.5 The Sports Hub and the Sports Hub BetMGM Celtics Radio Network.

  • Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.

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