Celtics beat Cavaliers, advance to Eastern Conference finals

THE RAIN. ARE FOLKS TALKING YET? DOUG AND ANTOINETTE. FIRST OF ALL, THEY GOT TO FUEL UP. AND AGAIN, THAT’S WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT DOUGHBOY DONUTS HERE IN SOUTHIE IS AGAIN, THE FACT THEY’RE OPEN 24 SEVEN. AND NOT ONLY ARE THE DONUTS GREAT, THE PEOPLE HERE ARE GREAT. AND THAT INCLUDES MY FRIEND EDDIE OVER HERE. EDDIE, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THIS EARLIER. JUST WHAT’S YOUR REACTION WITH THE CELTICS GOING BACK TO THE EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS FOR THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE? SORRY, THREE TIMES IN THREE YEARS. DADDY, WE’RE SO PROUD OF THEM. IT’S THE BEST. AND EVERY BOSTONIAN IS SO HAPPY TODAY. IT’S IT’S IT’S A IT’S WE’RE WE’RE WE FEEL FABULOUS ABOUT IT. WE’RE SPOILED AT THIS POINT AGAIN THREE TIMES IN A ROW. AND IT’S BEEN SIX TIMES IN THE LAST EIGHT YEARS. BUT COULD YOU IMAGINE IF THE BRUINS MAKE IT TO KID OR THAT’D BE THE BEST WAY, WOULDN’T IT? HOW ARE YOU FEELING? DO YOU THINK THEY’RE GOING TO PULL IT OFF TOMORROW NIGHT? WELL, GOD BLESS THEM. I HOPE SO, HONEST AND TRUE. AND EDDIE, THANK YOU FOR TALKING TO US, SIR. AND AGAIN, SO MANY PEOPLE LIKE EDDIE AGAIN. WE WANT THE CELTICS TO OBVIOUSLY CONTINUE TO GO. BUT YOU KNOW WHAT? WE WANT THE B’S TO WE WANT THE C’S AND THE B’S A PARTY. IT’S BETTER WITH TWO OF THEM. SO AGAIN WE’RE GOING TO TALK TO MORE PEOPLE HERE AT DOUGHBOY DONUTS THROUGHOUT THE MORNING AND GET MORE REACTION. BUT AGAIN, A VERY EXCITING AND DOUG AND ANTOINETTE I AM TAKING ORDERS. SO SEND ME

The Boston Celtics have secured their spot in the Eastern Conference finals, beating the severely short-handed Cleveland Cavaliers 113-98 in Game 5. The Celtics now wait to find out who they will play next, the winner of the series between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers. Game 6 of that series is scheduled for Friday night. Jayson Tatum had 25 points and 10 rebounds, Al Horford added 22 points, 15 rebounds and six of Boston’s 19 3-pointers to post their third consecutive win of the series and earn a 4-1 win. The Cavaliers were severely short-handed entering the game, without All-Star Donovan Mitchell and Caris LeVert, both ruled out prior to Game 5 of their Eastern Conference semifinals matchup with Boston on Wednesday night.Cleveland stayed close through the first three quarters and pulled within 88-85 early in the fourth. Boston then went on a 13-2 run to take a 101-87 lead with 6:44 to play.Cleveland started the second quarter by connecting on 4 of 5 attempts from beyond the arc to nudge ahead 46-40. The Cavs also got solid minutes off the bench from Marcus Morris Sr., who scored 14 points in his first 12 minutes of action.But Boston rallied and closed with an 18-6 run to take a 58-52 lead into halftime.Center Kristaps Porzingis remains out for Boston with a strained right calf. He did not play in the series and his status for the Eastern Conference finals was not immediately clear. The Celtics have been encouraged he has been able to do some on-court work.The NBA says the conference finals will begin on May 21-22, but can move up to May 19-20 if series from the prior round end early.Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

BOSTON —

The Boston Celtics have secured their spot in the Eastern Conference finals, beating the severely short-handed Cleveland Cavaliers 113-98 in Game 5.

The Celtics now wait to find out who they will play next, the winner of the series between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers. Game 6 of that series is scheduled for Friday night.

Jayson Tatum had 25 points and 10 rebounds, Al Horford added 22 points, 15 rebounds and six of Boston’s 19 3-pointers to post their third consecutive win of the series and earn a 4-1 win.

The Cavaliers were severely short-handed entering the game, without All-Star Donovan Mitchell and Caris LeVert, both ruled out prior to Game 5 of their Eastern Conference semifinals matchup with Boston on Wednesday night.

Cleveland stayed close through the first three quarters and pulled within 88-85 early in the fourth. Boston then went on a 13-2 run to take a 101-87 lead with 6:44 to play.

Cleveland started the second quarter by connecting on 4 of 5 attempts from beyond the arc to nudge ahead 46-40. The Cavs also got solid minutes off the bench from Marcus Morris Sr., who scored 14 points in his first 12 minutes of action.

But Boston rallied and closed with an 18-6 run to take a 58-52 lead into halftime.

Center Kristaps Porzingis remains out for Boston with a strained right calf. He did not play in the series and his status for the Eastern Conference finals was not immediately clear.

The Celtics have been encouraged he has been able to do some on-court work.

The NBA says the conference finals will begin on May 21-22, but can move up to May 19-20 if series from the prior round end early.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

Celtics beat Cavaliers, advance to Eastern Conference finals

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