Celtics force series back to Miami as they inch closer to NBA history
Derrick White had 24 factors, together with six 3-pointers, and the Boston Celtics dominated the Miami Heat 110-97 on Thursday night time in Game 5 to lengthen the Eastern Conference finals.
Marcus Smart had 23 factors and 5 steals. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown completed with 21 factors apiece as the Celtics claimed their second straight win and trimmed Miami’s series lead to 3-2.
It retains alive Boston’s hopes of changing into the primary staff in NBA history to overcome a 3-0 deficit to win a series. Teams beforehand in that place are 0-150 all-time.
Game 6 is Saturday in Miami.
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Jayson Tatum #0 excessive fives Grant Williams #12 of the Boston Celtics in the course of the first quarter in opposition to the Miami Heat in sport 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 25, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
A day after the Florida Panthers punched the franchise’s first ticket to the Stanley Cup Finals since 1996, for the second straight sport the Heat had been denied a spot within the NBA Finals.
Duncan Robinson led the Heat with 18 factors. Bam Adebayo added 16 factors and eight rebounds. Jimmy Butler had 14 factors, 5 rebounds and 5 assists however sat out the ultimate 9:47 of the sport. Caleb Martin completed with 14 factors.
It was Butler’s lowest-scoring sport of the playoffs. He had 16 factors in Game 3, a blowout win by Miami.
Miami by no means led and had 16 turnovers.
Boston entered the day simply 4-5 at TD Garden this postseason. But with a raucous dwelling crowd behind them, the Celtics thrived on their vitality.
They dove for unfastened balls, outfought Miami for rebounds and located one another for layups and dunks in transition as they constructed as a lot as 20 factors within the first half.

Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics dunks the ball in opposition to the Miami Heat in the course of the second quarter in sport 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 25, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
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The Heat lower into it, however Boston stored pulling down 3s and grew its edge as excessive as 96-72 within the fourth quarter.
Boston’s followers reignited a “Beat the Heat!” chant that hadn’t been prevalent since Game 1.
The Heat began Kyle Lowry at level guard after Gabe Vincent was dominated out with a sprained left ankle earlier within the day. It was Lowry’s first begin since Feb. 2.
Vincent, the Heat’s third-leading scorer this postseason, obtained harm late in Miami’s Game 4 loss when he landed awkwardly whereas making an attempt to save a unfastened ball close to the Heat bench.
His presence was missed as Miami struggled early on the offensive finish, swarmed by a Celtics’ protection that compelled the Heat into 10 first-half turnovers that led to 17 Boston factors. Lowry performed 31 minutes, scored 5 factors and completed with 4 turnovers.
TIP-INS
Heat: Were outscored 13-0 in second-half factors within the opening 24 minutes.
Celtics: Al Horford added six factors and 11 rebounds. … The Celtics took a 61-44 edge into halftime. … Boston’s first turnover of the sport didn’t come till the 8:16 mark of the second quarter.
FAST START
The Celtics obtained the quick begin they had hoped for in entrance of their dwelling crowd.
Smart stripped Adebayo on Miami’s opening possession, igniting a quick break and layup on the opposite finish by Tatum.
Then, with the sport tied at 4, Tatum obtained free within the lane for a monstrous two-handed dunk. He held on the rim afterward and continued his celebration when he landed, main to a technical foul.

Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics reacts in opposition to the Miami Heat in the course of the second quarter in sport 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 25, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
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It didn’t cease the Celtics’ momentum, as their first-quarter lead grew as excessive as 23-7. Boston ended the interval with a 35-20 lead, punctuated by a 3-pointer by White on the buzzer.
Tatum had 12 factors within the opening 12 minutes, with the Celtics outscoring the Heat 21-6 from past the arc. Boston hit 7 of its 12 makes an attempt.
VIP WATCH
Celtics Hall of Famer Paul Pierce, NCAA president Charlie Baker and New England Patriots Matt Slater and Devin McCourty had been amongst a number of celebrities within the Garden.