The Boston Celtics are in the Eastern Conference Finals – for the third year in a row. For the record champions, however, the interim step doesn’t count for much. The Mavericks work their way to an advantage. The NBA on Thursday morning
The Boston Celtics are the first team to reach the NBA Conference Finals. The best team in the main round claimed the necessary fourth win in the series with a 113:98 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers and is now in the Eastern Conference Finals for the third time in a row. However, Boston did not win the NBA championship in this period.
The Celtics therefore still have 17 titles – only the Los Angeles Lakers have as many. Their opponents in the conference finals will either be the New York Knicks or the Indiana Pacers. The Knicks, led by German Isaiah Hartenstein, have a 3:2 lead in their duel.
The Celtics had a tough time against the Cavaliers and tested the nerves of the fans in the TD Garden. “We didn’t expect to win the game in the first or second quarter. It takes as long as it takes,” said Jayson Tatum, the Celtics’ best scorer with 25 points, on US television after the game. Getting to the conference finals is not yet a great success: “I’ve been here many times. That’s not the goal.” Al Horford had an outstanding game, finishing with 22 points and 15 rebounds. The best scorer for the Cavaliers was Evan Mobley with 33 points.
Dallas has match point
The Dallas Mavericks claimed a 104-92 win in Oklahoma City to take a 3-2 lead after wins in the controversial Western Conference series. Two days after dropping the game in Dallas, the Mavericks led by Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving were in control at all times. Würzburg’s Maxi Kleber was still missing due to his shoulder injury.
“It’s only 3:2, we have to finish it off,” said Doncic. The Slovenian recorded a triple-double of 31 points, ten rebounds and eleven assists. Irving had another below-average evening with twelve points and four assists. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was once again the best man for the Oklahoma City Thunder with 30 points. The game can now be decided in game six on Sunday night in Dallas
