Boston Takes 3-2 Lead
The Boston Celtics are one game away from the NBA Finals. After halftime, the Celtics were able to run away from the Heat beating them 93-80 to take a 3-2 lead in the series.
The Celtics defense has been one of the reasons why they’ve made it this far in the playoffs. Their attention to detail and discipline has allowed them to separate themselves from other teams.
“I think the mental stress and strain we put on some teams with our defense has worked and carried us through the playoffs at times,” said Celtics coach Ime Udoka.
Jaylen Brown had 25 points and Jayson Tatum had 22 points 12 rebounds and nine assists. Not only did the stars of the team show up but so did the role players. Al Horford had 16 points and Derrick White had 14 points.
This has been a series of runs and not your usual runs either. In every game, there have been big runs that turn these games into blowouts quickly. In-Game 1 Miami had a 44-14 run, in Game 2 Boston went on a 60-21 run, and in Game 3 Miami opened up on a 46-20 run but then Boston came back with a 57-33 run themselves. In-game 4 the Celtics hit a 26-4 run and in Game 5 the Celtics had themselves another big run. Over six and a half minute stretch in the second half, the Celtics went on a 24-2 run. The score went from 59-58 Celtics to 83-60 Celtics.
The Celtics outscored the Heat in the third quarter 32-16. They played great defense holding the Heat to 17% shooting. The Celtics had an 11 point lead going into the fourth and then they opened it up more. They were going on a 14-2 run with Brown making three 3-pointers in 2 and a half minutes. By that time the lead was up to 23.
.@FCHWPO led our second half surge 😤 pic.twitter.com/uiBBkUgHJZ
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 26, 2022
The Heat overall just had a bad game at the worst time. The Heat led at the end of the first by two and then led at the end of the second quarter by five. In the second half, the Heat missed their first nine shots until Jimmy Butler made a move to the basket but the Celtics were gearing up for their run and it was a little too late by then.
Bam Adebayo had 18 points and 10 rebounds but shot 32% from the field and shot 33% in Game 4. Gabe Vincent scored 15 points, Butler had 13 and Duncan Robinson had 11. The Heat shot 7 for 45 from three and missed their sixth man of the year Tyler Herro to a groin injury.
The starting guards for the Heat Kyle Lowry and Max Strus shot a combined 0 for 15 which was the worse by a starting backcourt since the NBA started tracking stats in 1970.
The Celtics have a chance to make it to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010. If they can do what they’ve been doing, playing great defense and playing together on offense they will be the East champs.
The Heat need to dig deep if they want to win. Yes injuries have side tracked them but they also need guys like Strus and Lowry to show up and Adebayo has to play great. Lately, Adebayo has been very tentative when he gets the ball and someone like Robert Williams III is in the game. The Heat will have to go out guns blazing if they want to push for a Game 7 down in Miami.
Game 6 will be in Boston on Friday at 8:30.
