Jayson Tatum, Celtics Eliminate Cavs with Mitchell Out as NBA Fans Look Ahead to ECF

The Boston Celtics are going to the Eastern Conference Finals for the third season in a row and sixth time in eight years.

Boston finished its second-round victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers with a 113-98 victory in Wednesday's Game 5 at TD Garden. While it was closer than some surely expected for much of the game, the Celtics had too much firepower for a shorthanded Cleveland team that was missing Donovan Mitchell, Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen.

Jayson Tatum stuffed the stat sheet with 25 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists and four steals, while Al Horford (22 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and three blocks) and Derrick White (18 points, six assists, five rebounds and 4-of-9 from three-point range) played well in support.

Evan Mobley (33 points) and Marcus Morris Sr. (25 points) did what they could for Cleveland, but it wasn't enough to overcome the daunting challenge.

As for the Celtics, attention is now on the upcoming Eastern Conference Finals:

Given the Cavaliers' injuries, the biggest question going into this game seemed to be how large the deficit would grow in a surefire Celtics win. However, Cleveland put up quite a fight in the early going with Morris in particular providing a spark off the bench.

With the veteran's scoring leading the way, the visitors were tied after the first quarter and within just six at halftime. They were still within striking distance even though White found his shooting stroke after a quiet Game 4 and Tatum overwhelmed their defenders at times.

It was more of the same after intermission, as a Celtics win always seemed inevitable even though Cleveland was hanging.

Mobley was excellent for extended stretches with his scoring on the blocks and ability to facilitate if needed, while Max Strus and Darius Garland were also looking to set up their teammates. Still, the Cavaliers might have been a more significant threat if Garland didn't struggle with his shot (4-of-17 from the field).

All it took from Boston was one well-time spurt to largely put the game away, and it finally arrived in the fourth quarter.

White, Horford and Tatum all drilled three-pointers, the defense started to lock in, and just like that it was a double-digit lead and seemingly insurmountable advantage for the shorthanded challengers.

Horford in particular impressed at times as he turned back the clock.

And now he and the rest of the Celtics will have some time to rest before the Eastern Conference Finals against the New York Knicks or Indiana Pacers.