The process isn't over.
76ers dropped Heat on Tuesday 104-91 behind 27 points from JJ Redick to win the opening playoff series 4-1.
While the final game was as chippy as all of the other ones in the series, this game was about Philadelphia taking the next step. "When we play the way we wanna play, and that's sharing the ball," Joel Embiid told reporters. "We're the best defensive team in the league. We feel like we're unstoppable."
In Boston, Celtics started the three-game playoff slate with a highly contested 92-87 win over Bucks to go up 3-2 in the series. Celtics desperately needed to win as the home team has won all five games in the series and the match-up heads back to Milwaukee on Thursday.
Game 5 marked the return of Marcus Smart who hadn't played in a game since March 11 after recovering from right thumb surgery. Smart wasted no time in making an impact as he was diving for a loose ball almost immediately, but he also had a critical assist late in the game which put Boston's lead out of reach.
In Oakland, Spurs hung around as long as they could, but Warriors was just too much in 99-91 win to seal a series victory at 4-1.
Klay Thompson showed up to play from the beginning as he led all scorers with 17 points in the first half. He finished with 24 and also became just the third Warrior in history to hit 600 post-season field goals joining Rick Barry and Stephen Curry. Golden State will now face off with Pelicans in the Western Conference semifinals.
STUDS OF THE NIGHT
Heat forward Kelly Olynyk had 18 points, eight rebounds, six assists, three steals and a block off the bench. Joel Embiid posted his second straight double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds.
Al Horford had 22 points and 14 rebounds and that key bucket in the final minute. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 16 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. Khris Middleton also had 23 points for Bucks.
LaMarcus Aldridge did all he could to get Spurs a win with 30 points, 12 rebounds and was a perfect 14 of 14 from the free-throw line. Draymond Green had 16 points, 19 rebounds and seven assists for Golden State.
DUD OF THE NIGHT
Heat center Hassan Whiteside went 0 for 4 from the floor with two points and five rebounds in just 10 minutes of play as he was in foul trouble early once again.
HIGHLIGHT
Green and Andre Iguodala ran this fast break to perfection in Warriors' win.
WHAT'S NEXT
Wizards at Toronto (2-2), Pacers at Cavaliers (2-2) 7 p.m. ET — These two series have been intense already and they only look to get more heated down the stretch as it comes down to a best-of-three series over the next week.
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