Boston Celtics control the game from start to finish to take 3-2 series lead

The Boston Celtics controlled Game 5 against the Washington Wizards from start to finish, and they’re now one win away from the Eastern Conference Finals.

A few days ago we called for the Boston Celtics to regain their swagger. It seems like they’ve done just that after a dominating 123-101 win over the Wizards.

Now, up 3-2, the Celtics are just one win away from a showdown with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Al Horford and Avery Bradley were the stars tonight, but plenty of other guys produced as well. The Wizards put all of their eggs in one basket, trying to slow down Isaiah Thomas.

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That plan backfired right away. Avery Bradley and Jae Crowder both began to heat up in the first quarter, and the team never looked back. Bradley finished with a game-high 29 points, while Crowder added 18 including 2 big three pointers.

After the Wizards took a very early 4-0 lead, the Celtics went on a 16-0 run of their own.

Horford also caught fire in Game 5, on both ends of the floor. Boston utilized Horford and Thomas in pick-and-rolls, but this time IT was the pick man. Washington held tight on Thomas, which opened up Al Horford for open looks. Horford finished with 19 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 blocks. Thomas made his impact with 9 assists, though he did also add 18 points of his own.

Boston’s game plan seemed to be this: play fast. The Celtics broke the game open with quick transition buckets, including a great play in which a Jaylen Brown save led to a Bradley dunk.

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The Celtics and Wizards have now met nine times this season, and the home team has won every game. Game 6 will be played Friday in Washington. The Celtics will then play again at home on Monday, either in Game 7 of this series or in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.