CELTIC POLISH KEEPS SERIES ALIVE - ECF GAME 5 RECAP

By Liam Melrose.

Jayson Tatum put the Celtics on his back in Game 5. Photo: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Celtics have brought the series back to 3-2, forcing a Game 6 on the back of a 121-108 win. The victory keeps the series alive, giving the Miami Heat just their third loss of the post-season. 
 
The Celtics were back to their best against Miami in Game 5, as they attempt to become the latest team to come back from a 3-1 deficit. 
 
Boston had six players in double figure scoring numbers, with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combining for 59 Celtic points. Tatum finished with 31 points and 10 rebounds, whilst Brown had 28 points shooting the ball at 52.2% from the field.
 
The Heat threatened to finish the series off early, beginning the game on a 17-5 scoring run in the first quarter. Jimmy Butler was clicking all cylinders in the first half with 14 points, eight rebounds and five assists, while Duncan Robinson had 17 points propelling the Heat to a seven-point buffer at the half. 

Jimmy Butler was strong in the first half with 14 points and eight rebounds. Photo: Getty Images

However, after halftime with their season on the line, Boston went to another level beginning the second half on a 20-6 run, outscoring Miami 41-25 in the third quarter.  
 
It looked as though Boston had suddenly realised this was it. They had to win the second half or they were going home. 
 
Tatum put the Celtics on his back in the third quarter with 17 points, lifting the Celtics to a nine-point lead going into the fourth. 
 
It was the eighteenth time this season Miami had blown a lead of at least 10 points or more, with the Heat struggling to handle the depth of the Boston lineup once the Celtics got things rolling.
 
The Celtics began the fourth quarter full of energy, as Jaylen Brown hit back to back threes with just over eight minutes remaining in the fourth. This would spark a run that would give Boston a sixteen-point lead, their biggest of the night, ultimately putting the game out of reach.
 
The Heat struggled from the three-point line shooting just 3-18 from behind the arc, while Boston put the clamps on Tyler Herro keeping him to just 14 points after he had 37-points in Game 5. 
 
Miami currently leads the series 3-2, as Boston look to push the series to seven games on Monday with the game taking place at 9:30am AEDT. ​

Cover Photo: Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press