Jayson Tatum scores 25 to lead Celtics past Cavaliers 113-98 and into 3rd consecutive East finals #celtics #celticsbasketball
The Celtics now wait to find out who they will play next, the winner of the series between the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers. Game 6 of that series is scheduled for Friday night.

Jayson Tatum had 25 points and 10 rebounds, Al Horford added 22 points, 15 rebounds and six of Boston’s 19 3-pointers to post their third consecutive win of the series and earn a 4-1 win.

The Cavaliers were severely short-handed entering the game, without All-Star Donovan Mitchell and Caris LeVert, both ruled out prior to Game 5 of their Eastern Conference semifinals matchup with Boston on Wednesday night.

Cleveland stayed close through the first three quarters and pulled within 88-85 early in the fourth. Boston then went on a 13-2 run to take a 101-87 lead with 6:44 to play.

Cleveland started the second quarter by connecting on 4 of 5 attempts from beyond the arc to nudge ahead 46-40. The Cavs also got solid minutes off the bench from Marcus Morris Sr., who scored 14 points in his first 12 minutes of action.

But Boston rallied and closed with an 18-6 run to take a 58-52 lead into halftime.

Center Kristaps Porzingis remains out for Boston with a strained right calf. He did not play in the series and his status for the Eastern Conference finals was not immediately clear.

The Celtics have been encouraged he has been able to do some on-court work.

The NBA says the conference finals will begin on May 21-22, but can move up to May 19-20 if series from the prior round end early.