NBA playoffs: Tatum powers Celtics to third-straight Eastern Conference finals

Opposing fans have been clamoring for matchups with the Celtics this postseason – and they’re all now wishing they hadn’t.

Miami Heat fans chanted, “We Want Boston!” after clinching a first-round matchup with the Celtics last month. Boston defeated them in five games.

Cleveland Cavaliers fans jumped into action after their first-round win over the Orlando Magic. After the Cavs also left the field on Wednesday following a 4-1 loss to the Celtics, Boston fans held up signs with a question on them.

“Who does Boston want next?”

For now, the Celtics will have to wait for that answer after capping off their third consecutive trip to the Eastern Conference finals with a 113-98 win over the Cavaliers. Boston will face the winner of the game between the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers. New York led that series 3-2.

While Boston won the final two games of their series against a depleted Cavs team missing the injured Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert, the top seed in the East had to overcome a dose of adversity this postseason.

The Celtics played the entire series without starting center Kristaps Porziņģis, who continues to recover from the calf injury he suffered against the Heat. They also needed to bounce back after losing Game 2 and home field advantage against the Cavs. Three straight wins later, Boston is just four wins away from returning to the NBA Finals.

“People might think it’s obvious that we should be here,” said All-Star Jayson Tatum, who is making his fifth trip to the conference finals. “I give a lot of credit to everyone in the front office: the coaching staff, the coaches, the guys who hand out the equipment, the ball boys, the cooks, the chefs and the security team. We’re all in the same boat.”

After receiving criticism for some lackluster performances last season, Tatum has been one of his team’s most consistent players, averaging 24.2 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. His rebounding numbers are up from 8.1 per game during the regular season. Fellow All-Star Jaylen Brown is following suit, averaging a career-high 24.4 points in the playoffs and 6.9 rebounds.

Tatum and Brown also get big performances from their teammates. One of those on Wednesday came from veteran center Al Horford, who connected on six 3-pointers and finished with 22 points and 15 rebounds. Tatum said the energy of Horford, who at 37 years old chases down loose balls and gets the crowd pumped up, is infectious. Horford said he’s just responding to the energy the Boston fans give him.

“It is special when you are here in the Garden. It’s something I don’t take for granted,” Horford said. “I just felt very connected to them tonight. There were only a few times when I wanted to be hugged in that moment.

Horford said he also gives a lot of credit to their second-year coach Joe Mazzulla, who he said has found his voice this season. “Just as the leader of our group. We’re following him,” Horford said. “He asks a lot of us. And we are there. We are connecting. And we know we still have a way to go.”

Elsewhere on Wednesday night, the Mavericks pushed the Thunder to the brink of elimination. Luka Dončić scored 31 points in a triple-double to help Dallas beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 104-92 and take a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference series. Dončić made 12 of 22 field goals and had 11 assists and 10 rebounds in Game 5 for his sixth career playoff triple-double. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 30 points, eight rebounds and six assists for the top-seeded Thunder.

Dallas can advance to the Western Conference finals if they win at home on Saturday.