The Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks both secured crucial victories in their respective playoff games, advancing to the Eastern Conference semifinals and taking a 3-2 series lead over the Los Angeles Clippers, respectively.
In a dominant display, the Boston Celtics defeated the short-handed Miami Heat 118-84 in Game 5. Jaylen Brown and Derrick White led the charge, each scoring 25 points. Brown also contributed six assists, while White made five 3-pointers. Sam Hauser added 17 points, and Jayson Tatum recorded a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds. The top-seeded Celtics never trailed in the game, exacting revenge after the Heat’s victory in Game 7 of the conference finals last year. Miami’s Bam Adebayo scored 23 points, but the Heat struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 3 of 29 from 3-point range.
Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks secured a convincing 123-93 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 5. Luka Doncic led the charge with 35 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds, despite playing on a sprained right knee. Maxi Kleber contributed with five 3-pointers, and Kyrie Irving added 14 points. The Mavericks’ strong defensive performance limited the Clippers’ offensive opportunities, allowing Dallas to take a commanding 3-2 series lead. Doncic’s stellar performance in the second half propelled the Mavericks to victory, putting them on the brink of their first playoff series victory since 2022.
Both teams will look to close out their series in Game 6 matchups. The Boston Celtics will await the winner of the Cleveland-Orlando series, while the Dallas Mavericks will face the Los Angeles Clippers once again on Friday night. If necessary, Game 7 for the Mavericks will be back in Los Angeles on Sunday.