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Celtics advance to East semifinals, beating short-handed Heat 118-84 in Game 5

If this playoff run is about redemption for the Boston Celtics, it had to start with exacting some revenge against the Miami Heat. A year ago, Miami embarrassed Boston in a Game 7 showdown at TD Garden. This time, the Celtics returned the favor.

Quick Read

  • Celtics Dominate Heat: The Boston Celtics advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals after decisively defeating the Miami Heat 118-84 in Game 5.
  • Key Performances: Jaylen Brown and Derrick White each scored 25 points, with White also hitting five 3-pointers. Sam Hauser contributed 17 points, and Jayson Tatum added 16 points along with 12 rebounds.
  • Historical Context: This victory served as a form of redemption for the Celtics, who were previously defeated by the Heat in a critical Game 7 last year at the same venue.
  • Heat’s Struggles: The Heat, severely hampered by injuries, struggled offensively, especially from the three-point line, going 3 of 29. Key players like Jaime Jaquez Jr., Jimmy Butler, and Terry Rozier were out due to injuries.
  • Next Opponent: The Celtics await the winner of the Cleveland-Orlando series, with Cleveland leading 3-2.
  • Team Dynamics: Boston managed to maintain a dominant performance despite the absence of center Kristaps Porzingis, who was out with a calf strain.
  • Game Highlights: The Celtics never trailed in the game, leading by as much as 37 points, with an aggressive start that included eight 3-pointers in the first period.

The Associated Press has the story:

Celtics advance to East semifinals, beating short-handed Heat 118-84 in Game 5

Newslooks- BOSTON (AP) —

If this playoff run is about redemption for the Boston Celtics, it had to start with exacting some revenge against the Miami Heat. A year ago, Miami embarrassed Boston in a Game 7 showdown at TD Garden. This time, the Celtics returned the favor.

Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser (30) takes a shot over Miami Heat guard Patty Mills (88) during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Jaylen Brown and Derrick White each scored 25 points and the Celtics advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals, beating the short-handed Heat 118-84 in Game 5 on Wednesday night.

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) grabs a long pass against Miami Heat forward Caleb Martin, left, during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston will face the winner of the Cleveland-Orlando series. The Cavaliers lead 3-2, with Game 6 in Orlando on Friday night.

Brown said they went into the game with a business-like approach.

“It is a lot of history, back and forth. But it didn’t matter who it was,” Brown said. “We just had to get the job done.”

Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) drives to the basket past Miami Heat guard Delon Wright, center rear, during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

That was echoed by teammate Jayson Tatum.

“I think this is my fourth time playing them in playoffs,” Tatum said. “They all count the same. … We did our job. We took care of business.”

Brown also had six assists, and White hit five 3-pointers. Sam Hauser added 17 points and Tatum had 16 points and 12 rebounds, The top-seeded Celtics never trailed and led by 37 points.

Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser (30) battles Miami Heat forward Caleb Martin for the ball during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Bam Adebayo scored 23 points and Tyler Herro had 15 for Miami, which made its first exit from the playoffs prior to the conference finals since 2021. The Heat struggled throughout, going 3 of 29 from 3-point range.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said it was clear early that the Celtics were playing with some extra energy from the opening tap.

Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla calls to his players during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

“They probably had something to motivate them even more against us,” he said.

Despite the lopsided loss and the way their season ended, Adebayo said he is taking lessons into the offseason.

“We’ve gained a lot of mental toughness,” he said. “Going through that as a captain, it helped me understand that the ship’s going to get rocky sometimes.

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) drives past Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston played for the first time this postseason without center Kristaps Porzingis after he strained his right calf in the Celtics’ Game 4 victory. His teammates filled in the gaps, as the Celtics’ lead reached 30 points in the first half.

Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser (30) takes a shot over Miami Heat guard Patty Mills (88) during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston exploited a Heat team that was the most injured it’d been in the series. Jaime Jaquez Jr. sat out after suffering a hip injury in Game 4. He was replaced in the lineup by Delon Wright, marking the 37th starting five the Heat used this season. Jaquez joined Jimmy Butler (knee) and Terry Rozier (neck), who had both been sidelined since the start of the series.

Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser (30) is congratulated after hitting a 3-pointer against the Miami Heat during the second half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

It made for unique rotations for Miami, which included veteran Patty Mills logging minutes for just the third time in the series.

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) shoots over Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston seized on the vulnerabilities in the Heat’s defense, spreading them out and knocking down eight 3-pointers in the opening period. It helped the Celtics carry an 18-point lead into the second quarter.

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro, center, tries to drive to the basket against the Boston Celtics during the second half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

The highlight of the opening 12 minutes came courtesy of White, who pulverized Miami from long distance with eight 3s in Game 4. He stayed on the attack early Wednesday, faking a 3-point attempt and then driving in for an uncontested one-handed dunk.

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra watches his players during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

White played to the home crowd afterward, holding his hand in front of his face as he backpedaled up the court. After the Heat called a timeout, a courtside fan near the Celtics’ bench could be seen pantomiming fanning White on the sideline.

Miami Heat players watch from the bench while trailing the Boston Celtics by more than 30 points during the second half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

“I think that’s when I’m at my best, when I’m having fun out there,” White said. “But at the same time realizing this is a best moment and we’re all locked into it.”

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) tosses up a shot after driving past Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

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