Loyal DOL readers, ya boi is fucking flying HIGH like Jim Jones (not the reverend, the baaaalllin' one) right now.
Yes, we've seen the Boston Celtics blow 3-2 series leads in 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2018, so I know it's far from over (even though the first three have nothing to do with this core and Doc Rivers is long gone), but LET'S FUCKING GO!!!!!! What a win. Look what happens when you play smart, clean, team basketball. Even though the Celtics struggled in the first half (10 turnovers; gave up 9 offensive rebounds), I never really got that worried. It still felt like their game. They're the better team. Straight up and down, and they showed it tonight.
There were definitely frustrating stretches. I didn't love how the C's weren't capitalizing enough in the first quarter. It took the Heat over five minutes to make their second field goal, but we were only up 7-4. That felt like a spot to get up 10 early. It wasn't like Miami was doing anything special. Their whole first-half offense was second chance points and points off turnovers.
After hitting what was essentially the game-winning shot in Game 3, Max Strus has turned back into a pumkin. Dude's 0 for the last two games (0-16). More like the Miami Cold, amirite?!?!?!?!!?!?!?
Down five to start the second half, the Celtics tightened up like one of my favorite Black Keys songs. They came out hot defensively, limiting Miami to just 38 points and an ice cold 31.9% for the game. After holding Miami to 82 points Monday night, the Celtics shaved two off that total tonight. More importantly Boston only turned the ball over five times in the final 24 minutes and none were by Jaylen!
This series has been all about huge runs, and the difference in Game 5 was a massive 24-2 Celtics run late in the 3rd into the 4th quarter. The C's lead grew from 59-58 to 83-60 in like six and half minutes of game time, largely in part to an offensive outburst from Jaylen Brown. The energy shifted, again!
After the C's blew out the Heat on their home court in Game 2, Miami bounced back and silenced the Celtics in Boston. Like I said earlier, it's not over yet, but the narratives have shifted. Miami is banged tf up. Tyler Herro is busy playing dress-up on the sidelines.
Jimmy isn't himself. Kyle Lowry isn't right (obviously), but neither are the Celtics. You literally never know what lineup you're gonna get. Marcus and Rob have both missed major time. The C's haven't had the same starting five in back-to-back games all series, but they did have their true five on the floor tonight. When they do, that's the winning formula.
It was just a great team win. Jayson's shots weren't falling early, but he dished the ball well and ended up an assist short of a triple-double. BIG HIT AL!!!!
The 35-year-old had himself a NIGHT. 16, 7, and 5 with 2 blocks and a steal, but this was the sequence of the night and possibly entire series. Look at the big man move!
Derrick White's been awesome the last two games. New dad swag????
Of course, you can't fly too high. Like I said earlier, this franchise has blown four 3-2 series leads in the ECFs or later since 2009. Yes, Doc is gone, but I am not counting my chickens before they hatch. Jayson said in his postgame the C's need to come out in Game 6 like they're down 3-2, and he's exactly right.
Do not get complacent. It's not over. Go home, close it out and get the Celtics back in the Finals for the first time since 2010. We can still be pumped tonight though!!!
5 more wins.
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