The Celtics advanced to the Eastern Conference finals for the third straight year -- and the sixth time in the past eight seasons -- by dispatching the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers 113-98 in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals Wednesday night, according to Reuters.

Top-seeded Boston won the best-of-seven series 4-1 and will face either the Indiana Pacers or the New York Knicks for the Eastern Conference title. Second-seeded New York leads sixth-seeded Indiana 3-2 in a series that will continue with Game 6 on Friday night in Indianapolis.

"It's a blessing, honestly, to be a part of winning," Boston's Jaylen Brown said. "It's been a great journey so far, but we're not done yet. We just have to keep going."

Al Horford had 22 points and 15 rebounds during the Wednesday victory.

"(Horford) made shots, and he's a winner," Cleveland coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. "I can't say enough about the way he played tonight. Just watching him chase down loose balls and make extra-effort plays. He understood the moment and has the ability on both ends of the floor to impact winning at a high level with little things -- knowing who he is. Understanding his role."