The Boston Celtics continued their quest to do the unthinkable in overcoming a 3-0 series deficit, as they defeated the Miami Heat in Game 5.
No team in NBA playoff history has ever been able to overcome an 0-3 series deficit. Only three teams were able to push it to seven games. Are this season’s Boston Celtics about to do the unthinkable?
The Celtics lost the first three games of the Eastern Conference Finals to the Miami Heat, with Game 3 being an embarrassing loss for the team from Boston. Head coach Joe Mazzulla had some interesting comments about whether he lost the locker room.
But then, the Celtics were able to hand the Heat their first playoff loss at home with a 116-99 win in Game 4. With the series heading back to Boston for Game 5, the Celtics showed up yet again.
On Thursday, the Celtics defeated the Heat 110-97 to cut their series deficit to 3-2, meaning that they are two wins away from advancing to the NBA Finals for the second year in a row.
Let’s take a look at some of the reactions from NBA Twitter after the Celtics made the series interesting.
NBA Twitter reacts to Celtics forcing Game 6 vs. Heat
The Heat announced ahead of Game 5 that they would be without Gabe Vincent for Game 5 due to an ankle sprain. With that, they were without their Game 3 leading scorer (29 points), and Kyle Lowry would start in his place.
Boston’s starters rose to the occasion in Game 5.
Jayson Tatum notched a triple-double in his fourth consecutive game, scoring 21 points (8-for-16 from the field) and dishing out 11 assists in 41 minutes played.
Jaylen Brown recorded 21 points (9-of-18 from the field, 3-of-5 from the three-point line), three steals, two steals, and two assists.
Derrick White led the team in scoring with 24 points, making 8-of-11 shots from the field and 6-of-8 attempts from behind the three-point line.
Marcus Smart put up 23 points (7-of-12 FG, 4-of-6 three-point), five steals, three rebounds, and two assists.
After the game, Brown said of the team’s win, “They let us get two. Don’t let us get another one.”
As for the Heat, they were outscored by their bench in Game 5 53-44. Miami had three players put up double-digit points off the bench — Duncan Robinson (18 points), Haywood Highsmith (15), and Caleb Martin (14).
Jimmy Butler put up 14 points after making just 5-of-10 shots in 34 minutes of playing time.
Do the Celtics have that same magic that the 2004 Red Sox had when they overcame a 0-3 deficit in the ALCS against the New York Yankees? Considering they looked like a team that was about to be sent home after Game 3, they now have new life.
Game 6 takes place on Saturday, May 27 at 8:30 p.m. ET, and will be broadcasted on TNT.