You can only beat what’s in front of you, but it sure hasn’t been a hard path to the Eastern Conference Finals for the Celtics so far. Or at least it certainly hasn’t looked hard for the juggernauts.
Boston became the first team to qualify for the Conference Finals after taking down Cleveland 113-98 in Game 5 of their series, capping off a dominant run through the first two rounds and sending the Cavaliers packing.
Jayson Tatum led the way for Boston, scoring 25 points in a near triple-double performance for the all-star wing. Al Horford, who started at the five in place of the injured Kristaps Porzingis, followed it up with 22 points and 15 rebounds. The 37-year-old big man received some “M-V-P” chants from the Boston crowd as he checked out.
It was always going to be an uphill battle for the Cavaliers, but it got worse when they lost all-star guard Donovan Mitchell to a calf injury ahead of Game 4. Third-year centre Evan Mobley had an impressive night in Game 5, finishing with a game-high 33 points and seven rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to keep Cleveland alive another day.
With the win, the Celtics now advance to their sixth Conference Final in eight years. They were eliminated by the Miami Heat in seven games at that stage last season. They now await the winner of the New York Knicks-Indiana Pacers series, with the Knicks currently leading the way 3-2 and Game 6 set to take place Friday.
The Cavaliers have not advanced past the second round of the playoffs since LeBron James’ final season in Cleveland in 2018.
