In a thrilling night of NBA playoff action, the Dallas Mavericks have taken a 3-2 series lead against the Los Angeles Clippers while the Boston Celtics advanced to the second round by eliminating the Miami Heat.
Luka Doncic once again proved to be the star for the Mavericks, putting up an impressive 35 points in a decisive 123-93 victory over the Clippers in Game 5. With injured Kawhi Leonard sidelined, the Clippers struggled to keep up and suffered their largest playoff defeat in history.
The Boston Celtics also had a standout performance in Game 5, with Al Horford stepping up in the absence of Kristaps Porzingis to help secure a 118-84 win over the Miami Heat. The Celtics showcased dominant play throughout the series, ultimately winning 4-1 and advancing to the second round.
Despite playing through illness, Doncic’s incredible performance in Game 5 not only led the Mavericks to victory but also earned him a spot in a prestigious list of players with 20 playoff games of 30 or more points at age 25 or younger.
On the flip side, the Clippers struggled without Leonard and James Harden had a poor performance in Game 5, scoring only seven points on 2-for-12 shooting.
With the series now hanging in the balance, both the Mavericks and Celtics will be looking to close out their respective matchups and advance further in the playoffs. Stay tuned to see how these teams continue to battle it out on the court.
