Another year, another Eastern Conference Finals appearance for Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics
Jayson Tatum dropped a near triple-double, while Al Horford added a double-double, as the Celtics took care of business at home after eliminating the undermanned Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5, 112-97. Boston closes out the Eastern Conference semifinals series in five games.
The @celtics advance to the Eastern Conference Finals!#NBAConferenceFinals presented by Google Pixel pic.twitter.com/NYYwcZNl4Z
— NBA (@NBA) May 16, 2024
Tatum took off and had 25 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists as the Celtics eliminated the Cavaliers for the first time in a playoff series since 2010.
Jayson Tatum did a bit of everything to lead the @celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals ??
— NBA (@NBA) May 16, 2024
?? 25 PTS
?? 10 REB
?? 9 AST
?? 4 STL
?? 3 3PM
Boston makes their 3rd straight ECF appearance and awaits the winner of New York/Indiana. pic.twitter.com/PVUSOEKBut
Horford added 22 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists including six triples in a turn-back-the-clock showing in 35 minutes of play.
THE EMOTION FROM AL HORFORD 🙌
— NBA (@NBA) May 16, 2024
Celtics advance to their 3rd straight Eastern Conference Finals! pic.twitter.com/KUCMPWht8p
The 17-year veteran also passed LeBron James to become the oldest player in league history to record 20+ PT, 10+ REB, 5+ 3PT, 5+ AST in a playoff game.
Al Horford becomes the oldest player in NBA history to record a 20+ PT, 10+ REB, 5+ 3PT, 5+ AST playoff game, passing LeBron James.#NBAPlayoffs presented by Google Pixel pic.twitter.com/yEyGWqGn1e
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) May 16, 2024
Derrick White added 18 markers, while Jrue Holiday and Jaylen Brown added 24 points apiece, as all Boston starters scored in double figures.
With the Cavaliers closing in at 88-85 with 9:32 left in the fourth, the Celtics responded with a 13-2 run to pad the lead to double-digits, 101-87.
Jayson Tatum puts the Celtics up 14 in the 4th quarter on TNT!
— NBA (@NBA) May 16, 2024
Boston can reach their 3rd straight ECF with a win 👀 pic.twitter.com/VFVOb2bsWY
Cleveland once again came within striking distance at 103-94 but Holiday buried a much-needed triple to build back Boston’s lead to twin digits, 106-94 with 3:10 ticks left.
Jrue Holiday hits the big 3 to go back up double digits late in the 4th!
— NBA (@NBA) May 16, 2024
Boston can reach their 3rd straight ECF with a win... Watch on TNT pic.twitter.com/OlRfmkJVaX
The Celtics once again relied on their outside shooting to fend off the Cavaliers, hitting 19 triples while registering a 52 percent shooting clip and having a 43-28 rebounding edge.
Boston now awaits the winner of the New York Knicks-Indiana Pacers series.
Meanwhile, Evan Mobley collected a playoff career-high 33 points while Marcus Morris had a season-high 25 in a losing effort for the Cavaliers, who lost three straight games after stealing one on the road in Game 2.
Back-to-back triples... Marcus Morris Sr. is having himself a night! 🔥
— NBA (@NBA) May 16, 2024
20 PTS, 8-10 FGM, 4-4 3PM
📺 CLE-BOS Game 5 on TNT pic.twitter.com/zMYfiDDLrE
Already without a handful of key players in All-Star Donovan Mitchell (calf), center Jarrett Allen (rib), and key reserve Caris LeVert (knee), Cleveland kept it close against Boston in the first three quarters before falling short.
With the loss, the Cavalier now enters a summer of uncertainty with the futures of Mitchell and head coach J.B. Bickerstaff in the spotlight.
Mitchell was the primary offensive weapon of Cleveland in the regular season and especially in the playoffs, averaging close to 30 points in the postseason but didn’t play in the final two games.
The former University of Louisville is eligible to sign a contract extension for the Cavaliers, but has not given any indication that he’s eager to stay or leave Cleveland.
Bickerstaff is completing his fourth full season as Cleveland’s coach and is 170-159 with two playoff appearances for the squad.
