Home Team Finally Holds Serve
Before the series began, this matchup was dubbed as an unusual one because the Celtics were not considered the conventional No. 1 seed despite the fact they finished with the best record in the Eastern Conference.
The unusual trend continued through the first four contests, with the road team winning each time. Although the teams played a tight game, the home team finally broke through and in a big way.
Following a pair of games in which they shot 48 and 46 percent from the field, the Celtics had their fair of struggles in Game 5, as they converted 43 percent of their attempts, including a woeful 9-for-40 effort from beyond the arc.
Conversely, the Bulls shot 50 percent from the field, but their impressive field goal percentage was negated by the fact that the Celtics outscored them 56-42 in the paint, 15-4 in second-chance points and 23-4 in points off turnovers.
It's amazing the Bulls kept this close for as long as they did.
— Jeff Mangurten (@JeffGurt) April 27, 2017
Celtics 15-4 on second chances, 56-42 in the paint, 23-4 off turnovers.
In other words, this was a recipe for disaster and if the Bulls hope to extend their season, they will need to turn these trends around in Game 6.