NBA Playoffs Boston and Oklahoma City are in different places heading into Game 5s

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Four games into the second round of the NBA playoffs, the No. 1 seeds from each conference find themselves in two different places.

Top East seed Boston and West top seed Oklahoma City both advanced through the first round with relative ease. After an early stumble to start Round 2, the Celtics are back home for Wednesday’s Game 5 with a 3-1 lead over Cleveland and a chance to advance to their third consecutive conference finals.

Meanwhile, the Thunder return home to a 2-2 draw with Dallas.

Boston feels good about the way it followed up its Game 2 loss with back-to-back wins in Cleveland. The Celtics didn’t have to compete with Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell, who sat out Game 4 on Monday with a strained left calf.

But Boston used All-Star Jayson Tatum’s second consecutive 33-point performance to earn a 109-102 victory in the Celtics’ first game decided by single digits this postseason.

“It felt good. We knew they weren’t going to just go away or back off,” Celtics guard Jrue Holiday said. “So I think we did a pretty good job of being tested that way and responding the way we have done.”

Cleveland’s mentality is simple, forward Max Strus said.

“Find a way to win. That’s all we can do,” he said.

Dallas missed its chance to take a 3-1 lead and was unable to overcome Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 34 points as Oklahoma City rallied from 100-96 on Monday.

Thunder rookie Chet Holmgren, who finished with 18 points and nine rebounds, gave OKC the lead for good in the closing minutes. He said it’s not time to relax.

“Every time you win it gives you confidence. But we cannot let it come from arrogance,” he said. “We have to go back and figure out how we can get better. Because the Mavs are going to do the same. The job is clearly not done yet. And neither team feels like they’re out of it. We have to go in and get ready for battle.”

Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving believes they can duplicate their first-round performance when they were tied after four games against the Los Angeles Clippers, then won consecutive games to close out that streak.

“They’re playing desperation basketball, and we have to play the same thing,” Irving said. “Just stay balanced and stay balanced. That’s what the playoffs are about.”

Cavaliers at Celtics

Boston leads 3-1. Game 5, Wednesday, 7pm EDT, TNT

MUST KNOW: The Cavs stayed in Game 4 thanks to 30 points and seven assists from Darius Garland, who shouldered the offensive load with Mitchell out. But duplicating those numbers could be difficult for Garland, who has just two 30-point games in his playoff career. But Boston is just 3-2 at home this postseason. The two losses at TD Garden were by a combined 34 points.

KEEP AN EYE ON: Three-point shooting. One of the reasons Cleveland entered Game 4 was its advantage from beyond the arc. The Cavs attempted a team-playoff record 48 three-pointers, connecting on 15. Boston went 12 of 32 from 3, below the NBA-leading average of 38 attempts per game this postseason.

NB: Along with Mitchell, the Cavs also played Game 4 without center Jarrett Allen, out for the seventh straight game with the rib injury he suffered against Orlando last round. Boston’s Kristaps Porzingis has also yet to appear in this series as he continues to work on a strained right calf.

PRESSURE IS ON: The Cavs are eliminated for the second time this season. Unlike their Game 7 first-round matchup with Orlando, this time Cleveland will be on the road and possibly without their top star in Mitchell.

Outsiders at Thunder

Series tied 2-2. Game 5, Wednesday, 9:30 PM EDT, TNT

MUST KNOW: The Thunder trailed for most of Game 4 on Monday night, but rallied to get the win. It was a huge road win for one of the league’s youngest teams. Oklahoma City allowed fewer than 100 points for the sixth time in eight games. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 34 points in Game 4 and is averaging 29.5 points in the playoffs for the Thunder.

KEEP AN EYE ON: PJ Washington of Dallas. He has fallen behind Luka Doncic, but the Thunder could catch up to him. He made 26 of 48 field goals in the first three games, but was just 7 of 19 in Game 4. He is averaging nearly 22 points in the series after averaging just 12.9 in the regular season.

NB: Doncic. He’s playing on an injured right knee, and the Thunder, led by Lu Dort, are defending him well. He is averaging 22 points per game in the series, compared to 33.9 in the regular season, and is shooting just 39% from the field.

PRESSURE IS ON: Oklahoma City. The Thunder regained home field advantage with the win in Game 4 in Dallas. The last thing they want to do is give it right back and fall to Dallas down 3-2 for Game 6.