This Boston Celtics season is still alive after a Game 5 home victory over the Miami Heat. With the 110-97 win, the Celtics have clawed back from a 3-0 series deficit to pull within two games of a return to the NBA finals. Still down 3-2, Boston has plenty of work to do down in Miami if the team is to keep the dream afloat and extend the Eastern Conference finals.
Boston paired patient defense with steady offense and dictated the terms of engagement in Game 5 from the jump. Four Celtics players scored 20 or more points, with Derrick White and Marcus Smart playing particularly well. White led all scorers with 24 points, while Smart logged 23 points to go with 5 steals. This gave breathing room to All-Stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who combined for 42 points of their own.
For the first three games of the series, the Heat looked like the better team, but in a flash, Boston appears to have momentum on its side. The Celtics still have to win two more games, including a Game 6 on the road and a potential Game 7. But if these Celtics come to play, anything is possible.
Prior to Game 5, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla told reporters about a recent meeting with young cancer patients, an experience that is helping him center faith amid postseason pressure. https://t.co/dLfGwgLA46
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) May 26, 2023
For now, here’s your recap for Game 5 between the Celtics and Heat.