Boston at Cleveland (8 p.m. EDT). The Celtics, who have yet to win on the road in these playoffs, can advance to the Eastern Conference finals with a win over the Cavaliers.
-Kevin Garnett, Celtics, had 26 points and 16 rebounds to lead Boston to a 96-89 victory over Cleveland.
-Kobe Bryant, Lakers, scored 26 points in Los Angeles' 111-104 win against Utah.
Boston beat Cleveland 96-89 on Wednesday night to stay unbeaten at home and move within a win of the Eastern Conference finals with a 3-2 lead. The Celtics have yet to win on the road in these playoffs, allowing the eight-seeded Atlanta Hawks to go the distance before advancing from the first round. But Boston, which had an NBA-best 66-16 record in the regular season, doesn't have to win on the road to win the title. ... Home teams have won 19 of 20 games in the second round of the NBA playoffs.
The Los Angeles Lakers extended the stunning home success by NBA teams in the second round of the playoffs Wednesday night, beating the Jazz 111-104 to take a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference semifinals. The Lakers, who never trailed, can advance to the conference finals for the first time since 2004 with a victory Friday night in Utah. The Lakers have won seven straight home games over Utah. ... Los Angeles has won 18 of its last 21 home games in the postseason, while the Jazz have lost seven of their last nine road playoff games, including four in a row.
``We're going to get one. I don't know when. It would be great if it's Game 6.'' - Boston coach Doc Rivers after the Celtics beat Cleveland 96-89 Wednesday night. The Celtics are looking for their first road win of these playoffs when they travel to Cleveland for Game 6 on Friday.
