Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs Boston – Miami, May 25, 2023. From left, Jimmy Butler of Miami and Derrick White of Boston.
Boston – Boston's basketball players defeated Miami for the second time in a row and with a 110:97 home victory reduced the state of the final series of the NBA Eastern Conference to 2:3 in games. The sixth duel is played on Saturday in Florida.
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Boston did not lose once in the game, which was watched by 19,156 spectators at TD Garden, on the contrary, it led by as many as 24 points. Already in the first part of the match, he got into a blockbuster by 15 points, and in the half-time he had a lead of two more points. Statistically, the biggest difference between the two teams was defense: the Celtics had 13 turnovers, the Heat six, and 10 turnovers to Miami's 16.
“We just have to do everything we can to get another win,” said Derrick White, who scored 24 points for Boston, including six 3-pointers. Coach Joe Mazzulla added, “Our backs are against the wall. But we're pulling together and playing at a high level to get another chance.” No team in NBA history has ever turned a series around from 0:3.
In addition to White, who only needed eight attempts to make six threes, the Celtics also had Marcus Smart with 24 points and five steals, as well as Jayson Tatum with 21 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds or Jaylen Brown, who added 21 points.
After the initial three victories, the Miami basketball players lost for the second time in a row, but they still have a great chance to become only the second overall since the introduction of the current playoff format in 1984, which will advance to the league finals as the eighth seed. They could thus emulate another team from Florida, the Panthers, who advanced to the Stanley Cup finals on Wednesday.
“We still remain positive. We know we can win the series and we will. We just have to close it out now on the home board,” said Jimmy Butler, who was held to 14 points. Duncan Robinson had 18 points and nine assists, Bam Adebayo added 16 points and eight rebounds, Haywood Highsmith 15 points.
“One game for the series doesn't mean anything. It doesn't matter to him. Now it's just about collective preparation and a quality performance together. We're just going to play much better on Saturday, and that's the only thing we need to focus on now,” said coach Erik Spoelstra, who with the Heat is seeking its sixth Finals.
Eastern Conference Finals NBA Playoffs – Game 5:
Boston – Miami 110-97, series 2-3 .
