The Boston Celtics put together a dominant second half to beat the Philadelphia 76ers 101-85 in Game 5. The Celtics have a 3-2 lead in the series, with the two teams headed back to Philadelphia for Game 6 on Wednesday. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 EST and will be broadcasted nationally on ESPN. There appears to be a decent chance the 76ers will head back to Boston for Game 7 on Saturday. Neither team has managed to win back-to-back games in the series.
Having a look at the NBA odds for Game 6, oddsmakers have the 76ers favored by 2-points over the Celtics with the total set at 175.5. For the latest on this series, click this link.
Boston
Even though the Celtics went on to win by 16-points, Game 5 wasn't decided until the second half. Boston actually trailed the 76ers 47-50 at halftime. Boston got a surprising big game from Brandon Bass, who had a game-high 27 points on 9 of 13 shooting. Bass did most of his damage in the third period when he outscored the whole 76ers team 18-16. The Celtics went from down three to up nine and continued to build the lead in the 4th quarter.
After a poor perfomance in Game 4, Kevin Garnett bounced back to score 20 points with 6 rebounds, Paul Pierce only attempted seven field goals but was able to finish the game with 16 points, and Rajon Rondo added 13 points and 14 assists. Ray Allen made his first start of the postseason, replacing Avery Bradley. Allen had just 5 points on 2 of 7 shooting.
I wasn't stunned to see the Celtics dominate at home in Game 5, particularly after blowing an 18-point lead in Game 4. Boston ended up shooting 52.2% from the field. The Celtics have to feel pretty confident about finishing the series in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia
The 76ers came out and looked as if they were going to give Boston all they could handle in Game 5, but things really got out of hand in the second half. After putting up 50 points on the Celtics defense in the first two quarters, Philadelphia managed just 35 points over the final 24 minutes. It was a totally different finish than what we saw in Game 4, when the 76ers outscored the Celtics 61-37 in the final two periods of play.
Philadelphia got a big game out of Elton Brand, who scored a team-high 19 points on 8 of 13 shooting. It was the first time Brand finished in double-figures since Game 2 of their opening round series against Chicago. The 76ers had 7 different players score at least 8-points. Lavoy Allen was second on the team with 12 points, Evan Turner had 11 points and 10 rebounds, and Spencer Hawes and Jrue Holiday each finished with 10 points. Lou Williams and Andre Igoudala combined for just 17 points and together were just 6 of 20 from the field.
What surprises me about Game 5, is the fact that Philadelphia shot 47% from the field and still lost the game by 16 points. In their Game 4 win at home they only shot 39%. I don't think this team can be disappointed with what they did offensively, it's the defense that has to step up if they are going to force a Game 7. There's no doubt this team will come out with a ton of energy at home in Game 6, but I personally think this will be the last time they take floor this season.
Having a look at the NBA odds for Game 6, oddsmakers have the 76ers favored by 2-points over the Celtics with the total set at 175.5. For the latest on this series, click this link.
Boston
Even though the Celtics went on to win by 16-points, Game 5 wasn't decided until the second half. Boston actually trailed the 76ers 47-50 at halftime. Boston got a surprising big game from Brandon Bass, who had a game-high 27 points on 9 of 13 shooting. Bass did most of his damage in the third period when he outscored the whole 76ers team 18-16. The Celtics went from down three to up nine and continued to build the lead in the 4th quarter.
After a poor perfomance in Game 4, Kevin Garnett bounced back to score 20 points with 6 rebounds, Paul Pierce only attempted seven field goals but was able to finish the game with 16 points, and Rajon Rondo added 13 points and 14 assists. Ray Allen made his first start of the postseason, replacing Avery Bradley. Allen had just 5 points on 2 of 7 shooting.
I wasn't stunned to see the Celtics dominate at home in Game 5, particularly after blowing an 18-point lead in Game 4. Boston ended up shooting 52.2% from the field. The Celtics have to feel pretty confident about finishing the series in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia
The 76ers came out and looked as if they were going to give Boston all they could handle in Game 5, but things really got out of hand in the second half. After putting up 50 points on the Celtics defense in the first two quarters, Philadelphia managed just 35 points over the final 24 minutes. It was a totally different finish than what we saw in Game 4, when the 76ers outscored the Celtics 61-37 in the final two periods of play.
Philadelphia got a big game out of Elton Brand, who scored a team-high 19 points on 8 of 13 shooting. It was the first time Brand finished in double-figures since Game 2 of their opening round series against Chicago. The 76ers had 7 different players score at least 8-points. Lavoy Allen was second on the team with 12 points, Evan Turner had 11 points and 10 rebounds, and Spencer Hawes and Jrue Holiday each finished with 10 points. Lou Williams and Andre Igoudala combined for just 17 points and together were just 6 of 20 from the field.
What surprises me about Game 5, is the fact that Philadelphia shot 47% from the field and still lost the game by 16 points. In their Game 4 win at home they only shot 39%. I don't think this team can be disappointed with what they did offensively, it's the defense that has to step up if they are going to force a Game 7. There's no doubt this team will come out with a ton of energy at home in Game 6, but I personally think this will be the last time they take floor this season.
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