Boston Celtics have chance to finish off Orlando Magic in Game 5

BOSTON – The Boston Celtics can reach the next step in their quest to repeat as National Basketball Association (NBA) champions, with a chance to wrap up their Eastern Conference first-round play-off series against the visiting Orlando Magic in Game 5 on April 29 (April 30, Singapore time).

After Boston won the first two games of the best-of-seven series at home, the teams split two games in Orlando. The Celtics took a 3-1 series lead with a 107-98 victory in Game 4 on April 27.

“They’re going to come out aggressive to try to close this series and try to get some rest, I guess,” said Orlando’s Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

“Other than that, for us, we’re coming out (with) desperation. We need to win this game just to push to a Game 6. So we’re looking forward to it.”

Game 4 was tied 91-91 before Boston went on a 10-1 run and scored 16 of the final 23 points.

“It was a big win on the road in a tough physical environment against a team that has been playing well, and a team that has been eager to take us out,” Boston’s Jaylen Brown said.

“We’ll rally the troops and get back to it back in Boston on our home floor.”

The series had been noted for the Magic’s physical play that the Celtics seemed to look at as a challenge.

“We had to get more physical. Just taking care of the boards, taking care of the trenches, taking care of the little plays like that, the physicality, not fouling for unnecessary reasons and just playing basketball,” added Brown.

“I still think we can be better.”

Free-throw shooting was a factor after Boston went 30 of 32 from the line in Game 4. Six of those free throws came late when Orlando were trying to foul.

Jayson Tatum made all his 14 free-throw attempts and Brown was nine of 10 from the line. Orlando made 14 of their 20 free throws.

“Understandably, we talk about physical play and that’s the way in which we play,” Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley said. “You talk about the back-and-forth battle, and I always look at our ability to attack the rim.

“Them shooting, let’s just say, 26 free throws before the back stretch. You look at those margins and they’re very similar attacks, but it’s not the same foul count. Whether that’s the physicality part of it or not, it’s just something we look at.”

Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner have provided most of the Magic offence in the series. Both scored at least 23 points in each of the first four games. Banchero has at least 31 points in three of the four contests.

“It’s do or die. It’s a great opportunity for us. We are going to get on that plane and have the right mentality coming into Boston and make sure we get Game 5,” Wagner said.

If the Magic win, the series would return to Orlando for Game 6. Orlando have won three of their four home games against Boston this season.

Meanwhile, on April 28, the Cleveland Cavaliers crushed the Miami Heat 138-83 to complete a 4-0 series sweep and cruise into the Eastern Conference semi-finals.

A dominant all-round offensive effort from the Cavaliers laid the foundations for a lopsided victory that saw the Heat exit the post-season with a whimper in front of their home crowd.

Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 22 points on a night when six Cleveland players finished in double figures.

In the Western Conference, the Golden State Warriors took a 3-1 series lead after clinching a close 109-106 home victory over the Houston Rockets.

Jimmy Butler led the team with 27 points, while Brandin Podziemski contributed 26.

Houston’s Alperen Sengun scored a game-high 31 points, but it was not enough to claim victory for the Rockets. REUTERS, AFP