Boston Celtics deliver a demoralizing defeat to Miami Heat in game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals
The Boston Celtics have given their chances of reaching the NBA Finals a big jump by defeating Miami Heat at home in game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics have faced adversity all season, battling with injuries to
their players. At the moment, Ray Allen is playing with a sprained ankle and Paul Pierce is on the floor with a banged up knee. Pierce is 34 and Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen are both 36.
However, neither their age not their injuries are coming in the way of the Celtics attempt to win one more title of the Big Three Era. The Celtics saw resurgence in the regular season after the All Star break that saw them into
the playoffs. They defeated a tough opponent in Atlanta Hawks in the first round, and then were stretched to 7 games by the young Philadelphia 76ers. Now, they face the team that was formed to bring an end to their dominance in the Eastern Conference.
After losing the first two games, the Celtics had been written off by almost everyone. However, they have once again shown their thirst for another championship ring by winning three games in a row with a 94-90 game 5 win in Miami’s
home court. The Celtics now command a 3-2 lead going into game 6 at the TD Garden where they will have a chance to qualify for the NBA Finals and win the Eastern Conference crown.
Kevin Garnett played with determination and heart for yet another game of the playoffs, playing for 35 minutes and scoring a team high 26 points and 11 rebounds. LeBron James had a game high 30 points and 13 rebounds for Miami.
Chris Bosh returned to action for Miami for the first time since game 1 against the Indiana Pacers in the Conference Semi Finals. Miami coach Erik Spoelstra brought him off the bench and gave him 14 minutes of playing time.
Miami started the game much stronger than the previous 2, going on a 16-9 run with 5 straight points by LeBron James. Boston missed their first 6 field goal attempts before getting the first points on the board. Miami closed the
period with another 8-0 run before Boston scored the final three points of the quarter.
The Heat led 24-16 at the close of the 1st period. James started strong in the second period as well, scoring the first four points to extend Miami’s lead to 12. The Celtics were right at the tail of the Heat, replying
with a 9-3 run capped off by three free throws by Ray Allen to reduce Miami’s lead to 31-25.
The game stayed even throughout the rest of the 2nd period, with Miami leading 42-40 at halftime. Miami missed 15 of the last 17 shots of the first half and committed 4 turnovers in the process.
With the scores tied at 50 in the third quarter, Miami went on a 9-0 run to take a 59-50 lead with 6 minutes left in the period. However, they missed their next 9 field goal attempts to close the third period, and added only 1
point after that to their score in the third quarter. The Celtics capitalized to go on a 15-1 run to end the period, and a jump shot by Paul Pierce gave them the lead for the first time in the game. Boston led 65-60 going into the final quarter.
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