Boston and Indiana punched tickets to the Eastern Conference semi-finals, while Denver controlled the series with Jamal Murray’s dominant performance. In New York, the Pistons forced Game 6 to win on a gritty road.
The Celtics rule the magic in Game 5, Victory Series 4-1 (Score: BOS 120–89 ORL)
Jason Tatum released his statement performance with 35 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds as the Celtics round out the first round series to outperform the Orlando Magic. Boston pulled decisively in the third quarter after Paolo Banchelo picked up his fifth foul and put it on the bench.
Defending NBA champion Boston struggled early beyond the arc and went all the way through the first half without making a 3-pointer. This is a rare thing about the league’s best long-range shooting teams. Still, they spiked late in the third quarter and never looked back.
The magic was led by Franz Wagner’s 25 points and Banchelo’s 19, but Orlando collapsed when the star forward was sidelined with foul trouble. The Celtics face either the Knicks or the piston in the second round.
The Pacers eliminate backs in overtime thrillers (score: IND 119–118 mil)
A 1.3-second clutch layup from Tyree Halliburton on the left and left rounded out an 8-0 overtime run as the Indiana Pacers ousted the Milwaukee Bucks and won the series in five games.
Indiana remained on the OT in under a minute with seven, but forced two turnovers and capitalised in a dramatic way. Halliburton had 26 points and 10 assists, while Miles Turner chipped with 21 points with nine rebounds. Gary Trent Jr. led the Bucks with 33 points, but committed two important turnovers in the final 30 seconds.
The game ended with a fierce temper as players from both teams entered a match where they crushed the midcourt. Indiana is now moving forward to confront the Cleveland Cavaliers in the East semi-finals.
Murray powers the nuggets passing the Clippers with a 3-2 lead (score: Den 131–115 rack)
Jamal Murray dropped 43 points in the second half, including 24, leading the Nuggets to a compelling victory for the Clippers in Game 5. Denver currently holds a 3-2 edge in the Western Conference Series.
Nicola Djokic notched the third triple double of the series (18 points, 12 assists, 10 rebounds), while Aaron Gordon added 23. Despite a slow push by LA, Denver’s attack sealed the victory by clicking on the stretch.
Ivica Zubac scored a playoff career-high 27 points with the Clippers, who are currently facing elimination in Game 6 on Thursday in Los Angeles.
The Pistons hold the Knicks down to expand the series (Score: DET 106–103 NYK)
Kade Cunningham led the way with 24 points, eight rebounds and eight assists as the Pistons held the Knicks in a tight Game 5 victory to force a return trip to Detroit.
Ausar Thompson added 22, and Tobias Harris scored 17 points in a game where he watched Detroit’s control early and withstanded slow surges. The Knicks, currently leading the series 3-2, were led by OG Anunoby’s 19 points, but Jalen Brunson struggled with 16 with a 16-16 shooting.
Game 6 will be set in Detroit on Thursday, with the Pistons aiming to force even the series into a decisive game 7 at Madison Square Garden.
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