Celtics 4-1 Cavaliers Enter East Battle of Tatum 25+10 Hoford 22+15

The NBA playoffs continue, with the Boston Celtics winning at home and advancing. Tatum provided 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists, while Hoford scored 22 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists. They led the team to a small climax in the last quarter to establish a double-digit advantage. The Celtics defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 113-98 in the fifth game of the Eastern Conference semifinals. The Celtics eliminated the Cavaliers 4-1 and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals, waiting for the winner between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers.

The Celtics had Tatum with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists, Hoford with 22 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists, White with 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists, Hollerdy with 13 points and 4 assists, Pritchard with 11 points, and Brown with 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists. The Cavaliers had Mobley with 33 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists, Morris with 25 points, Struss with 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists, and Galan with 11 points and 9 assists.

Mitchell from the Cavaliers continues to be absent, and Wade enters the starting lineup. After the opening game, the two teams drew several times. After drawing 8 times, Hoford and White each scored three points, and the Celtics took the lead. Morris and Mobry equalized with 4 runs, Tatum countered with 3 runs, White made a layup, and the Celtics took the lead once again. The Cavaliers were not to be outdone. Wade and Morris each hit three pointers, while Mobry dribbled in the air. With 2 minutes and 45 seconds left in the first quarter, the Cavaliers made a 24-23 comeback. Richard Richard countered with three pointers, Garland scored two goals in a row, and Cornett made a layup. At the end of the first quarter, the two teams shook hands and drew 28.

The Celtics scored two three pointers in a row to start the second quarter, and they once again led the way. Oaklow, Struss, and Merrill each hit three pointers, and the Cavaliers came back to overtake with a score of 37-34. In the following game, the two teams played back and forth, with the Cavaliers maintaining a weak lead. Morris made a jump shot and they took a 48-43 lead at 5 minutes and 15 seconds before halftime. White suddenly fired and scored 5 points in a row. He led the team to a 10-0 counterattack, and the Celtics came back to overtake with a score of 53-48. Meril responded with three pointers, Tatum took a 5-point lead in a row, Garland made a free throw, and at the end of the half, the Celtics were leading by 6 points with a score of 58-52.

The Celtics' White scored 15 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists in the first half, while Tatum scored 12 points and 6 rebounds; Morris from the Cavaliers scored 14 points.

The Cavaliers started the third quarter with 5 consecutive points, and Tatum led the team to a small climax of 11-0 with two successful layups. The Celtics were leading by 12 points with a score of 69-57. Oklo's jump shot stopped bleeding, and Mobry quickly contributed 5 points, bringing the Cavaliers to 66-72. Richard's three pointers stabilized the situation, and the two teams alternated in scoring afterwards. Morris maintained his touch and hit two more three pointers, and the Cavaliers firmly grasped the score. Richard made a throw, Mobry broke through the dunk, and by the end of the third quarter, the Cavaliers were trailing by 6 points with a score of 79-85.

Mobry broke through well, Morris scored another three points, and shortly after the start of the fourth quarter, the Cavaliers caught up to 83-86. Hollerdy scored two goals in a row to stabilize the situation. The Cavaliers paused and took a shot to iron. White, Hoford, and Tatum each hit three pointers, leading the team to an 11-2 offensive climax. In the fourth quarter, with 6:45 seconds left, the Celtics took a 101-87 lead. The Cavaliers did not give up on recovering 5 points, and Brown counterattacked to stabilize the situation. Mobry made two free throws, with Hollardi scoring five points in a row, and the Celtics leading 108-94. In the final moments, the Cavaliers were unable to turn the tables and lost 98-113.

Cavaliers starting lineup: Galan, Struss, Oklo, Wade, Mobry

Celtics starting lineup: Hollerdy, White, Brown, Tatum, Hoford