Celtics at 76ers
THE STORY: The Boston Celtics are one win away from reaching the Eastern Conference finals and the 76ers are attempting to stay alive when the conference semifinals return to Philadelphia for Wednesday’s Game 6. Boston took a 3-2 series lead with a strong second-half performance on Monday en route to a 101-85 victory. Neither team has won consecutive games in the series. The 76ers rebounded impressively after losing by 16 points earlier in the series.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
ABOUT THE CELTICS: Forward Brandon Bass produced the best showing of his seven-year career when he scored a career playoff-best 27 points in Game 5. The output matched Bass’ regular-season career high and included 18 points in the pivotal third quarter as Boston turned a three-point halftime deficit into a nine-point advantage. “It was one of those games we needed something to ignite us together,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. “I thought the biggest difference was his energy. He played with a force. I thought he just let himself go.” Bass averaged 11.8 points in the first four games of the series before making nine of 13 shots on Monday.
ABOUT THE 76ERS: Veteran forward Elton Brand had his best game of the series with 19 points in Game 5 after totaling just 17 points over the first four games. Brand has been bothered by a neck injury and had been a non-factor before hitting eight of 13 shots on Monday. His play was one of the few bright spots for Philadelphia, which committed 15 turnovers and scored just 35 second-half points. “You can’t play like that, you can’t play one-handed against this team,” 76ers coach Doug Collins said. “You can’t make careless, one-handed passes against this team. They’re too good. We did not meet the tenacity that they played with from the middle of the third quarter on.”
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Boston point guard Rajon Rondo has four double-doubles in the series and is averaging 14.6 assists.
2. Sixers guard Lou Williams is averaging just 10.8 points in the series and has reached 20 points just once this postseason (11 games).
3. Celtics guard Avery Bradley (shoulder) could miss his second straight game at a time when veteran Ray Allen (13 total points the last three games) is struggling.