The Celtics eliminated the Cavaliers 4-1 to advance to the division finals, and in the playoffs in the past five years, the Celtics have advanced to the Eastern Conference finals four times. At the final whistle, Tatum hugged and smiled at Morris Jr. Mitchell, dressed in casual clothes, hugged his opponent to congratulate, but looked uneasy.
Mitchell continued to be sidelined, and the Cavaliers held on for just one quarter. Morris Jr. came off the bench for 8 and a half points in the first quarter, shooting 3-of-3, 1-of-1 three-pointers, and 0-of-1 free throws, scoring seven points alone, and the two sides tied 28 in the first quarter. On the Celtics' side, White played 8 minutes in the first quarter and shot 4-of-8, 2-of-4 from three-point range to score 10 points, plus 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block, with a plus/minus of +1.
In the first half, the Celtics led 58-52, White got 15 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 blocks in the half, Tatum played 19 minutes, 4 of 8 shots (2 of 4 three-pointers), 2 of 2 free throws and 12 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal, plus or minus +9. On the Cavaliers' side, Morris Jr. performed well against his old master, playing 14 minutes and 51 seconds, shooting 6-of-8, 2-of-2 three-pointers, and 0-of-1 free throws to score a team-high 14 points.
I loved it when I came back in the second half, and the Celtics opened up the difference, but fortunately, Mobley Jr. broke out in the third quarter, scoring 13 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist in 6 of 8 in a single quarter, and at the end of the third quarter, he cut 21 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks, and the Cavaliers fell behind 79-85 and bit the score.
However, the Cavaliers failed to bite in the fourth quarter, and with 6:44 left, the Celtics led by 14 points, and the fans had already celebrated the victory early. In the end, the Celtics defeated the opponent 113-98 to advance to the Eastern Conference finals and enter the division finals for the third consecutive year, in the whole game, Tatum 25 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists and 4 steals, Horford 22 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks, White 18 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks, Holiday 13 points, 4 assists and 3 rebounds, Brown 11 points, 7 assists and 4 rebounds.