Celtics Rout Cavaliers 120-95 in Game 1 of Eastern Conference Semifinals

Tatum Explodes for 25 as Boston Rolls

Celtics Advance to East Finals with Game 5 Victory over Pacers

The Boston Celtics continued their impressive postseason run with a dominant 120-95 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Tuesday night. Jayson Tatum led the way for the Celtics with a game-high 25 points, while Jaylen Brown added 23 and Marcus Smart chipped in 21.

"Welcome to the NBA playoffs," Brown said after the game. "At long last, a Celtics playoff game felt like one."

The Celtics jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, shooting 53.8% from the field and 42.9% from three-point range. The Cavaliers, meanwhile, struggled offensively, shooting just 37.1% from the field and 28.6% from beyond the arc.

The Celtics also dominated the rebounding battle, outrebounding the Cavaliers 53-37. Robert Williams III led the way with 16 rebounds, while Tatum added 10 and Brown had 9.

With the victory, the Celtics take a 1-0 lead in the series. Game 2 will be played in Boston on Thursday night.

In a separate development, the Celtics also advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals with a 117-114 overtime victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 of their second-round series on Tuesday night. The Celtics become the first team in NBA playoff history to have three players record 25 points in a game, as Tatum finished with 29, Brown had 26, and Smart added 25.

The Celtics will now face the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, which begin on Tuesday, May 17.