This season's NBA title favorite Boston Celtics advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals after closing out the series with the Cleveland Cavaliers 4-1. Boston won Game 5 at home 113-98.
Despite being without their big star Donovan Mitchell, the Cavs were evenly matched for much of the game and even got within three points early in the final quarter, but then the Celtics made a strong finish.
In doing so, Boston reached its third straight East Final and sixth overall since 2017. "It shows that this team has character. People think it's a given that we're going to get this far, but we're united and we're doing things the right way," said Celtics star Jayson Tatum, who finished with 25 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists for the success. Center Al Horford had 22 points and 15 rebounds, and Derrick White scored 18 points. Evan Mobley led the Cavaliers with 33 points, and Marcus Morris scored 25 off the bench.
In the final of the East, Boston will meet the New York Knicks or the Indiana Pacers. The Knicks lead the series 3-2.
In the West, the Dallas Mavericks moved one win away from the finals after defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 104-92 on the road. Luka Doncic recorded a triple-double with 31 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists, and the Mavericks lead the series 3-2 and can close it out at home in the next game. /BGNES
