The Boston Celtics are a win away from the NBA finals after beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 96-83 in game five.

Rookie Jayson Tatum scored 24 points with seven rebounds and four assists, Jaylen Brown added 17 points and Al Horford 15 as the Celtics took the Eastern Conference finals series to 3-2.

At 20 years and 81 days old, Tatum became the youngest player in NBA history to score at least 20 points in a conference finals game.

Boston had opened up an early double-digit lead over Cleveland in the first quarter that saw them dunk no newer than six triples.

They managed to preserve the lead, despite strong showings from the Cavs in the second and fourth quarters.

LeBron James recorded 16 points and had four rebounds in the first half, but appeared to lose pace in the second, posting 10.

His 26 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, along with Kevin Love’s 14 points, were not enough to close in on Boston, leaving Cleveland facing elimination if they lose again on Friday.

However recent history maybe on their side – for now at least.

Each team has won each of their home games so far in the series and Monday’s clash is back at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.

Should the Cavs level up, the circus will roll back to Boston for a tie-breaking seventh game.