Celtics vs. Heat score: Live NBA playoff updates as Boston looks to close out Miami in Game 6 for Finals berth

The Boston Celtics find themselves one win away from their 22nd NBA Finals appearance in franchise history. They defeated the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals to take a 3-2 lead. The series now shifts back to Boston Friday night as the Celtics will have the advantage of playing in front of their fans at TD Garden as they try and put away the East’s top-seeded team. With three quarters in the books, the Heat own an 82-75 lead over the Celtics as they try to extend their season. 

While it’s just a one-game lead for Boston, it has outscored Miami in 15 of the 20 quarters played this series. The Celtics prevailed in Game 5, 93-80, thanks to a dominant second half that was sparked by a 24-12 run to end the third quarter. They seek their first Finals berth since 2010 after going 0-4 in the conference finals since 2012. The Heat, meanwhile, have gone 5-0 in the ECF since 2011, but that streak is in serious jeopardy and they’ll have to find a way to keep their season alive without the services of Tyler Herro as he has been ruled out, once again, with a groin injury. 

Follow below for all the real-time updates and analysis for Game 6 between the Heat and Celtics.