The Celtics avenged Florida’s blowout last year by winning the Eastern Conference Finals 4-3 to advance to the NBA Finals.
This time, Boston did not leave any chances to the Miami club, which it defeated by an average margin of 22 points in the four games it won. The Heat won only the second game of the series in Boston (111-101), when they broke the club record and hit as many as 23 three-pointers.
In the fifth meeting, the Celtics answered many questions already in the first quarter. The Boston club, led by Derrick White, who scored as many as 15 points per half, scored points in 10 consecutive attacks, went on a 29-9 run and pulled away 38-20.
The Celtics continued their powerful game in the second half, and at one point the difference between the teams was already 30 points – 55:25. Boston led 68-46 at halftime.
All illusions about the Heat’s return were dispelled by the “green” at the start of the third quarter, when they shot ahead 14-2 and smoked 82-48.
The rest of the time was just a formality, and the Celtics’ biggest lead was 37 points (118:81).
The Heat were without Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier for the entire series and were without Jaime Jaquez for the last game. The Celtics went into Game 5 without Kristaps Porzingis, who is out for at least a few weeks with a knee injury.
Boston, the best team in the regular season, will play against the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The Cavs are leading the series between these teams 3-2 after five games.
Massachusetts will be playing in the conference semifinals for the seventh time in the last eight seasons.
Celtics: Derrick White (5/10 trg) and Jaylen Brown (10/12 trg, 1/7 trg, 5 trg) each 25, Sam Hauser 17 (5/8 trg), Jayson Tatum 16 (12 atk.), Jrue Holiday 10.
Heat: Bam Adebayo 23 (9/23 doubles, 6 rebounds), Tyler Herro 15 (5/11 doubles, 1/8 triples), Caleb Martin and Thomas Bryant 10 each.
Tags: Celtics closed series impressively Porzingis
