The Boston Celtics turned it on when necessary to secure a Game 5 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, 113-98, advancing to their sixth Eastern Conference finals since 2017.
The Cavaliers’ season ends in the semifinals after they bowed out in the first round in 2023. Their season-ending defeat came without leading scorer Donovan Mitchell, starting center Jarrett Allen and key reserve Caris Levert.
For the Celtics, a slow first-half start threatened to drag the series out, but a fourth-quarter run finally put the game away in Boston. Jayson Tatum led the team with 25 points, adding 10 rebounds and nine assists, nearly notching his second triple double of the playoffs.
The Celtics leaned on Al Horford throughout the season. In the playoffs, his responsibilities have only grown. Kristaps Porzingis’ calf injury in the first round meant more minutes for Horford in the second. Against the Cavaliers, more minutes meant more possessions defending Mitchell and Darius Garland in isolation.
Horford had some rough moments earlier in the series, especially against Mitchell, but woke Boston up when it needed an alarm clock in Game 5.
He swatted Garland three times in the first half, tracked down several loose balls and breathed energy into the Celtics when they lacked it. They were sputtering along in the second quarter when Horford began delivering one hustle play after another. He also hit six 3-pointers in Boston’s win after struggling with his outside shot all series.
Horford subbed out with 48 seconds left in the game to M-V-P chants from the Celtics’ crowd.
There’s no promise Porzingis will be ready for the start of the Eastern Conference finals. When last doing shooting drills in front of the media, prior to Game 4, he was moving slowly on the court. For as long as he’s out, Boston will need Horford to continue soaking up playing time and delivering on both ends of the court.
If the Celtics run into the New York Knicks, who are ahead of the other Eastern Conference series, Horford will likely be asked to spend significant time switching onto Jalen Brunson while also jostling down low with one of the NBA’s best rebounding teams.
Horford was up to every challenge Wednesday and will need to be again.
Boston had some lulls in this series, but once again its deep talent and relative health lead to a swift five game series win. Credit to Horford for turning this game around with his energy and shooting in the second quarter, but the Celtics had another well-balanced performance to put Cleveland to bed in Game 5.
Tatum has been steadily impactful in every area of the game over these five games, even if he still hasn’t had a good shooting night from 3. Jaylen Brown’s scoring efficiency was crucial for getting Boston through some of its offensive droughts. Jrue Holiday’s defense was often the only thing keeping Mitchell from taking the Celtics down.
This was a holistic effort from a team with the talent to win it all, even if none of their players were at their absolute best.
With the Knicks or Indiana Pacers waiting in the next round, Boston has two vastly different opponents that have presented significant challenges this year. Whomever is in their path, they showed against the Cavaliers they could handle a series without Porzingis.
But Boston was fortunate Mitchell and LeVert couldn’t finish this series and Allen never got healthy. There will always be suspense with this team, but they once again find a way to get it done in convincing fashion.
The hard truth is the season is over for the Celtics at the hands of a gentleman’s sweep by the Celtics.
It’s what the history books will show; years from now, you’ll be looking back at May of 2024 and shrug over three double-digit losses out of four for Cleveland. So let’s try, for a moment, to make note of what the Cavaliers showed over the last two games of this series.
In a Game 5 without not only Allen, who missed the last eight playoff games, and Mitchell, who missed the final two, but also LeVert, added to the inactives with a knee bruise, the Cleveland was fiercely competitive for 40 minutes.
That’s after giving Boston the best game (of the eight the Celtics have won so far in the playoffs) in Game 4, without Mitchell and Allen.
Evan Mobley scored 33 points in the loss — easily a playoff career high. There is much to figure out about the viability of Mobley and Allen playing together, but Mobley clearly thrived in this series playing center.
Marcus Morris Sr. (are you kidding?) looked like LeBron. He scored 25 points on 10 of 13 shooting off the bench. Three months ago he was not on this team.
Garland struggled (4-of-17 shooting) and that was tough to see. With Mitchell not in there, Garland had to be great (like he was in Game 4 with those 30 points).
The Cavaliers’ defensive strategy seemed to be to leave Horford open. It was wise and it nearly worked.
If you had to bet on Horford making six 3s like he did in Game 5, you’d bet against. Cleveland just didn’t have enough talent available to withstand Boston’s considerable roster, on a good night from Brown.
The Cavs reached the Eastern semifinals for the first time since 2018. The team that walked off the floor Wednesday will be different from the one that returns in October. How — well, that’s up to Koby Altman (and Dan Gilbert) now.
But the players in uniform for the last two games, no matter what their individual statistics may have been, deserve a handshake, a nod, and a greeting of a job well done.
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