Boston Celtics qualified for the NBA Eastern Conference finals after winning 113:98 against Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden to close the semi-final series at 4-1. All of Boston’s starting line-up dropped more than 10 points, with Jayson Tatum finishing as the team’s top scorer with 25 points, and remained 1 assist away from a triple-double, also registering 10 rebounds and 9 assists. In general, the Cavs lost the battle under the rim and were outrebounded 28-43 by the Celtics. Cleveland was without Donovan Mitchell as he continues to suffer with an injury and in his absence Evan Mobley scored 33 points, but they were not enough and the Cavaliers leave the playoffs.
Celtics clinch the series and the Mavs take a 3-2 lead!
The #NBAPlayoffs presented by Google Pixel continue Thursday on ESPN. pic.twitter.com/3SzkcFeAIy
— NBA (@NBA) May 16, 2024
In the other NBA playoff meeting on Wednesday, Dallas Mavericks defeated Oklahoma City Thunder 104:92 away at Paycom Center to steal their home-court advantage. Luka Doncic inspired his teammates with a triple-double of 31/11/10, and another four of the Mavs’ roster hit double-digits in points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 30 points but noone else of their roster managed to hit more than 13 points and OKC now trails 3-2 in the series. Game 6 will take place at American Airlines Center in Dallas, on Saturday.