The Boston Celtics adopted up their dominant Recreation 4 efficiency with a second straight commanding victory over the Miami Warmth in Recreation 5 on Thursday evening. Led by Jaylen Brown (25 factors, 4 rebounds) and Jayson Tatum (22 factors, 12 rebounds, 9 assists), Boston pulled out a 93-80 victory to take a 3-2 lead within the sequence and push Miami to the brink of elimination.

The Warmth truly led the sport at halftime, however the Celtics utterly flipped the script over the ultimate 24 minutes of motion and outplayed Miami on each ends of the ground to shut out the competition. Along with Brown and Tatum, Boston additionally obtained some big-time contributions from Al Horford, who had 16 factors, seven rebounds and 5 assists, and Derrick White (14 factors, 5 assists). Now, the Celtics sit only one win away from their first NBA Finals look since 2010.

Boston will look to shut out the sequence in entrance of their dwelling crowd in Recreation 6 on Friday evening, whereas the Warmth will look to bounce again, prolong their season, and pressure a decisive Recreation 7. Earlier than shifting forward to Recreation 6, although, here is a take a look at 4 key takeaways from Boston’s Recreation 5 victory.

1. Historical past is on Boston’s aspect

Recreation 5 has confirmed to be a pivotal recreation in a best-of-seven sequence, particularly when the sequence is tied at 2-2 after 4 video games. Traditionally, groups that win Recreation 5 in that state of affairs go on to win the sequence practically 82 % of the time. That quantity is fairly staggering, however it is sensible, because the winner of Recreation 5 is afforded two alternatives to get one win, whereas the loser of Recreation 5 should win two straight to avoid wasting their season. That is the state of affairs dealing with Miami now. They have to win two in a row, or their present marketing campaign will come to an in depth. Historical past is not on their aspect, however it’s not an inconceivable feat that they face, because it has been carried out earlier than. Clearly, Boston will wish to deal with enterprise at dwelling in Recreation 6 to be able to keep away from a do-or-die Recreation 7 in Miami. 

2. The place was Jimmy? 

Jimmy Butler has clearly established himself as Miami’s finest participant and go-to man, however he has been a no-show for the Warmth during the last three video games of the sequence. After scoring simply 14 whole factors in Recreation 3 and 4 mixed, Butler mustered simply 13 factors in what amounted to be Miami’s most necessary recreation of the season. He took 18 photographs, however made simply 4 of them, and he linked on simply one in every of his 5 makes an attempt from lengthy vary.

Along with simply lacking photographs, there was an general lack of aggression from Butler, illustrated by the truth that he took simply 4 whole free throws within the recreation. This can be a man that may sometimes get to the foul line at will, however he simply wasn’t in assault mode. Perhaps he is coping with damage points, or perhaps he is simply operating out of fuel after a protracted season, however the Warmth aren’t going to win many video games — and so they definitely will not win the sequence — with Butler enjoying as poorly as he did in Recreation 5.  

3. A forgettable recreation for Lowry, Strus 

Kyle Lowry has been coping with a hamstring damage all through the postseason, however he performed in Recreation 5 towards the Celtics, and he was downright unhealthy. In 25 minutes of motion, Lowry went scoreless, as he missed all six of his discipline purpose makes an attempt. He did not do a lot, if any, playmaking both, as he completed the sport with zero assists. His highest counting stats have been turnovers (3) and private fouls (5).

It is clear that Lowry’s not at 100%, however few gamers are at this level within the season, and if he is on the market enjoying, damage should not be used as an excuse. If he’s hampered that badly, he in all probability should not even be out on the ground for Miami, as a result of he definitely did not assist a lot on Tuesday evening. 

It did not assist Miami’s trigger that the participant beginning alongside Lowry within the backcourt, Max Strus, additionally missed each single shot that he took. Collectively, the duo went 0-of-15 from the ground. Per ESPN, that is the worst taking pictures efficiency from a beginning backcourt in a playoff recreation since starters have been formally tracked in 1970-71. It is exhausting to tug out a win when your two beginning guards do not make a single shot. 

4. Warmth traditionally unhealthy from lengthy vary

When you have been watching this recreation and felt just like the Warmth could not throw a seashore ball into the ocean, you have been onto one thing. As a group, Miami took 45 3-pointers, and so they made simply seven of them. That equates to fifteen.6 %. That is the second lowest share for a group in NBA playoff historical past with at 40 or extra makes an attempt.

When a group is taking pictures so poorly from lengthy vary, you’d suppose in some unspecified time in the future they might alter their strategy and attempt to get extra drives to the basket, however as an alternative the Warmth simply appeared content material to proceed to let it fly, and that is definitely a part of the explanation that they misplaced.