The statistics of the NBA playoffs say that whoever wins Game 5 passes the round in 85% of cases. The Celtics play their chance in their home, at the TD Garden, and manage most of the game. Tatum and Brown put Boston ahead by 14 points with ten minutes left (93-79) and another ten points in the middle of the final quarter.
Here came the charge of the defending champions: Wes Matthews and in particular Pat Connaughton planted some triples, Portis giant in defense, the Antetokounmpo-Holiday couple put the Celtics’ action in supreme difficulty. Head-to-head in the last minute, a race decided on free in which Portis overtakes with the attack rebound on the error of Giannis, Holiday tow Smart, Connaughton puts his two and still Holiday defends very well on Smart.
Boston – Milwaukee 107-110 (2-3). Boxscore: 34 Tatum, 26 Brown, 15 Smart, 11 Theis for the Celtics; 40p + 11r Antetokounmpo, 24 Holiday, 14p + 15r Portis, 13 Connaughton for the Bucks. Race 6 on the night from Friday to Saturday (1:30), in Milwaukee.
