This Boston Celtics season is still alive after a Game 5 home victory over the Miami Heat. With the 110-97 win, the Celtics have clawed back from a 3-0 series deficit to pull within two games of a return to the NBA finals. Still down 3-2, Boston has plenty of work to do down in Miami if the team is to keep the dream afloat and extend the Eastern Conference finals.
Boston paired patient defense with steady offense and dictated the terms of engagement in Game 5 from the jump. Four Celtics players scored 20 or more points, with Derrick White and Marcus Smart playing particularly well. White led all scorers with 24 points, while Smart logged 23 points to go with 5 steals. This gave breathing room to All-Stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who combined for 42 points of their own.
For the first three games of the series, the Heat looked like the better team, but in a flash, Boston appears to have momentum on its side. The Celtics still have to win two more games, including a Game 6 on the road and a potential Game 7. But if these Celtics come to play, anything is possible.
Prior to Game 5, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla told reporters about a recent meeting with young cancer patients, an experience that is helping him center faith amid postseason pressure. https://t.co/dLfGwgLA46
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) May 26, 2023
For now, here’s your recap for Game 5 between the Celtics and Heat.
Boston's offense
All season, Boston’s offense has been predicated on volume shooting. Head coach Joe Mazzulla consistently preached 3-point shooting as a critical offensive building block. In fact, he told Celtics Wire his team needed to shoot even more during slumps rather than pivot to a new strategy.
Through the first three games of the East Finals, the Celtics couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn. Suddenly, Boston’s shooting prowess came roaring back. Here in Game 5, the home team shot 41% from deep. It wasn’t lights out, but it was enough to get the job done.
Everything is different for the Celtics when the 3s are falling, but when Boston pushes the pace and passes the ball, that’s when this team is dangerous. Boston logged 23 assists and consistently looked to get out and run. This is what allowed Smart and White to have such productive games, and further opened the court for Tatum and Brown.
The Celtics will need to dig deeper if they want to make history and advance to the 2023 NBA Finals. https://t.co/RH7MSYdF0y
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) May 25, 2023
Boston's defense
That Boston has recaptured its 3-point mojo is a big deal for whatever happens next in the series. But if the Celtics can maintain this defensive intensity, we may have a series on our hands.
Miami had some success at the rim, especially when Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo forced the issue. Overall, Boston’s defense was too handsy and involved for the Heat to handle. Miami couldn’t get into any sort of scoring rhythm after surrendering 16 turnovers.
While Boston led by as many as 24, the Heat never led. Instead, the Celtics held Miami to 44 points in the first half and 97 overall. Whenever the visiting team looked poised to make any sort of run, Boston tightened the screws.
“Offensively, we have to play with good pace and we have to limit those turnovers,” said the vet big man. https://t.co/23UjyusHEo
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) May 25, 2023
Looking ahead
Boston still has quite the mountain to climb. Yes, the Celtics logged two wins in the face of elimination. But it will take another two to avoid an early summer vacation. The series heads back to Miami, where Boston will need to once again dig deep.
If the Celtics can replicate the same sharp shooting and patience defense that powered a Game 5 win, they’ll be in great shape to win Saturday night. If the ugly habits and poor play from earlier in the series reemerge, Boston’s goose may be cooked.
The Celtics have reminded the basketball world how potent this club is. Only time will tell if Boston can maintain that poise for two more games
The White Mamba recently weighed in on those reports suggesting there is tension among Boston’s players. https://t.co/kCVtEjAY2q
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) May 25, 2023
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