Heading into the Eastern Conference Finals, the Miami Heat were the overwhelming favorites to win the series over the Boston Celtics and cruise into the NBA Finals for the second straight season. Despite youth and talent being on their side in Miami, Boston has had the edge with heart leading the way for the veteran savvy Celtics.

After the first two games of the East Finals, the Heat had taken a 2-0 lead and it seemed like just a matter of time before Miami would advance to the Finals. Unfortunately for LeBron James and company, that hasn’t been the case with the Celtics coming back to life in the next three games with three straight wins.

As if the two wins in Boston weren’t impressive enough, the Celtics were able to hold off the resurgent Heat in Game 5 in South Beach. As one of the toughest places to play for opponents in the NBA, going into AmericanAirlines Arena and coming out with a win in Game 5 seemed highly unlikely before returning to TD Garden in Beantown.

Fortunately for Kevin Garnett and company, the Celtics were able to do just that with the veteran forward leading the way with a team-high 26 points and 11 rebounds. LeBron gave his best effort to rally the Heat from behind with a game-high 30 points and 13 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to hold off the surging Celtics who have now taken a 3-2 series lead with the Game 5 victory, 94-90.

Now the series will shift back to Boston for Game 6 with the Heat facing elimination for the first time in the NBA playoffs, the Celtics are in control with the series coming back to Beantown for a crucial Game 6. If the Celtics are able to take down the Heat in Game 6, it will be one of the biggest upsets in the playoffs in recent memory.

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