SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Nakabalik mula sa hukay ng kabiguan ang top-seeded Boston Celtics. At isa pang panalo sa Biyernes (Sabado sa Manila) laban sa Chicago Bulls, makakausad ang Celtics sa semifinals sa unang pagkakataon mula noong 2012.

“The key has been playing consistent,” pahayag ni Celtics guard Avery Bradley.

“The first two games we obviously were a little emotional. We weren’t playing team basketball. We were just kind of playing free and not executing our plays at both ends of the floor and our games plans.

“Once we were able to slow down and focus on what we needed to do as a team on every detail, we were able to play a lot better,” aniya.

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Hindi inaasahan na dadaan sa matandang kasabihang ‘butas ng karayom’ ang Celtics laban sa No.8 squad. Ngunit, ang pagkasawi ng nakababatang kapatid na babae ni Isaiah Thomas bago magsimula ang playoffs ang naging dahilan sa pagkasadsad ng Boston sa unang dalawang laro ng serye.

Sa pagbabalik ng wisyo ni Thomas, tinalo ng Celtics ang Bullss sa sumunod na tatlong laro. Tangan ang 3-2 bentahe target ng Boston na tapusin ang serye.

“I had a good feeling in my heart when we came here 0-2 that we would come together and give ourselves a chance to win Game 3,” sambit ni Jae Crowder. “That’s what happened. I just felt like we needed to get away from the stuff that was going on back home and just be us.”

Kahit wala ang pambatong guard na si Rajon Rondo, kakailanganin ng Bulls na makabawi para maisalba ang kampanya.

“You know, we’ve got to find a way to do the things that gave us success,” pahayag ni Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg.

“We have to have pace. Even though Rajon’s not out there, we still have to try to get down the floor and get into our actions with plenty of time on the shot clock.

Sa Atlanta, tatangkain ng Hawks na makabawi para maitabla ang serye laban sa Utah Jazz sa pagpalo ng Game 6 ngayon.