The Boston Celtics secured a 113-98 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series, advancing to the next round with a 4-1 series win. Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks also emerged victorious, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 104-92 in their own Game 5 matchup.
Boston’s win over Cleveland was a dominant performance, with Jayson Tatum leading the way for the Celtics with 32 points and nine rebounds. Kemba Walker added 25 points, while Marcus Smart chipped in with 18 points off the bench. The Celtics’ defense was also a key factor in the victory, holding the Cavaliers to just 41% shooting from the field.
On the other side, Cleveland was led by Collin Sexton, who scored 24 points in the losing effort. The Cavaliers struggled to find their rhythm offensively, as they were unable to keep up with Boston’s scoring output. Despite a valiant effort, Cleveland was ultimately unable to overcome the Celtics’ strong performance.
With the series win, Boston now advances to the next round of the playoffs, where they will face off against the winner of the Brooklyn Nets vs. Miami Heat series. The Celtics will look to build on their momentum from the first round and continue their quest for an NBA championship.
In the Western Conference, the Dallas Mavericks also punched their ticket to the next round with a convincing win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Luka Dončić once again led the way for Dallas, recording a triple-double with 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists. Tim Hardaway Jr. provided valuable support offensively, scoring 20 points off the bench.
Oklahoma City put up a fight, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the team with 23 points. However, the Thunder were unable to contain Dallas’ high-powered offense, as the Mavericks shot 48% from the field and 41% from three-point range. Dallas’ strong shooting performance proved to be too much for Oklahoma City to overcome.
With the series win, Dallas now awaits their next opponent in the playoffs, where they will face either the Utah Jazz or the Los Angeles Clippers. The Mavericks will look to continue their strong play and make a deep run in the postseason.
Overall, both Boston and Dallas showcased their talent and determination in their respective Game 5 victories. With their series wins, both teams have set themselves up for exciting matchups in the next round of the playoffs. As they continue their quest for an NBA championship, Boston and Dallas will look to build on their recent success and make a statement in the postseason.