NBA Playoffs: Celtics beat Heat in Game 5 to extend series 2-3 in ECF

The Boston Celtics rumble back in the second half to beat the Miami Heat 121-108 on Friday to stay alive in the NBA playoffs.

Jayson Tatum scored 31 points and 10 rebounds whereas Jaylen Brown added 28 points as six Celtics players scored in double figures and Boston cut the deficit in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference finals to 3-2.

Goran Dragic led the Heat with 23 points and Duncan Robinson put up 20 for Miami, who are trying to reach the NBA finals for the first time since 2014.

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🏀 GAME 5 FINAL SCORE 🏀

Jayson Tatum (31 PTS, 10 REB, 6 AST) and the @celtics use a huge 2nd half to win Game 5 and force a Game 6 Sunday at 7:30pm/et on ESPN! #NBAPlayoffs

Jaylen Brown: 28 PTS, 8 REB
Daniel Theis: 15 PTS, 13 REB
Kemba Walker: 15 PTS, 7 AST pic.twitter.com/XVn3W119iC

— NBA (@NBA) September 26, 2020

The Boston Celtics outscored the Miami Heat 70-50 in the second half of Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final to their 121-108 victory. 

After the game, Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra discussed his team’s defensive performance.

“We did not compete hard enough defensively, and we paid the price for that,” 

It wasn’t only about the sloppy defence of Miami’s defence. Also to note the offensive, the team made just 7-36 3 pointers, with their three-point shooters Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro going 2-of-20 from shooting range.

Ultimately, a rough second half jinxed the Heat, but not all is lost. Miami has largely been excellent in the playoffs thanks to an 11-3 record, and the team still holds a 3-2 Eastern Conference Finals series lead.

The Heat can clinch an NBA Finals berth with a win in Game 6 on Sunday.