Game 5 of the Boston Celtics 2023 Eastern Conference semifinals series with the Philadelphia 76ers was for all intents and purposes a Game 1 in a best-of-three series after the Sixers knotted up the second round with an overtime win in Game 4 of the series. The Celtics didn’t understand the urgency yet again, playing a team accepting a loss almost from the opening minutes of the contest.
A slow start from Jayson Tatum (36 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists) coupled with lackluster effort on defense for most of the game set Boston up to lose, and Al Horford (0 points, 5 boards, 4 assists) going 0-of-7 from 3 compounded things for the Celtics.
Jaylen Brown (24 points, 6 rebounds) and Marcus Smart (14 points) made solid showings as well, but this is the sort of game that should make Boston consider whether they really want to bring this group back next season. Which may come sooner than for some teams left in the playoffs with Boston now down 3-2 in the series.
Let’s take a look at some of the best plays captured in images from the Celtics’ Game 5 vs. the 76ers in the second round of the ’23 playoffs.
Celtics Lab 188: Reacting to Boston's 114-102 Game 3 win vs. 76ers, Grant Williams durability and more with Luca Santos https://t.co/3n7DLYIUV5 via @thecelticswire
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) May 6, 2023
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