There will be new Eastern Conference champions this year.
Derrick White and the Boston Celtics made sure of that one.
White picked up where he left off and scored 25 points as the Celtics advanced to the East semifinal round behind a 118-84 Game 5 romp of the Miami Heat to close out their opening round showdown, 4-1.
?? BOSTON ADVANCES TO THE EAST SEMIS ??#NBAPlayoffs presented by Google Pixel pic.twitter.com/dZt1veCcJZ
— NBA (@NBA) May 2, 2024
The 29-year-old guard added five rebounds and five triples in another dominating Boston win, following up his career-night 38-point Game 4 effort with another splendid performance at home.
White raced to a hot start with a15-point opening quarter, waxing hot early beyond the arc with the Celtics swinging heavy early with a 41-23 first quarter.
Picking up where he left off...
— NBA (@NBA) May 2, 2024
15 PTS for Derrick White in the 1Q 🔥 https://t.co/sfP4oJAvQT pic.twitter.com/03eOh1L211
Boston never looked back, led by as much as 37 points, hit 16 triples, and held Miami to a horrible 3-of-29 shooting from three for a third straight double-digit win.
Jaylen Brown also added 25 markers with six boards in 26 minutes while Jayson Tatum had a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds.
Celtics lead 41-23 after the first! pic.twitter.com/RvKyF5xP1t
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 2, 2024
Kristaps Porzingis did not play due a right soleus strain. Multiple reports said the Latvian big man "could miss the miss second-round playoff series" but would likely return in the East Finals if the Celtics punch their way back.
Porzingis averaged 14.0 points and 5.7 rebounds per game in the first three playoff games against the Heat, and had seven points and three rebounds before leaving Game 4 with 2:27 left in the second quarter.
Boston now improved to 22-4 this season when Porzingis did not play.
The Celtics thus avenged their heartbreaking seven-game loss to the Heat in the previous East Finals, and are now 2-2 in their last four playoff series.
Meanwhile, Bam Adebayo led the way for Miami with 23 points, Tyler Herro added 15 and Caleb Martin chipped in 10.
After an improbable Finals run last year, the Heat just could not overcome the loss of superstar Jimmy Butler in the series against the well-oiled Boston machine.
The Erik Spoelstra-led team failed to reach the 100th-point mark of the third-straight game and were unable to get past the opening round for the first time since 2021.
