Celtics followers, how would you’re feeling should you had recognized prematurely that your guys would have a 3-1 lead returning to TD Backyard for Sport 5 of the NBA Finals?
In the event you instructed me earlier than the collection they’d be up 3-1 going dwelling I’d be ecstatic. Get it executed Monday
— myles (@Myles__B) June 15, 2024
That’s proper, isn’t it? Sure, it’s 3-1 and the one motive you is perhaps feeling down is as a result of Boston misplaced the newest sport. If the Celtics had as a substitute misplaced Sport 3 and received Sport 4, you’d have extra confidence. It’s all about recency bias and notion.
So, we’re right here to say, are available off the ledge, Celtics followers. Imagine it or not, playoff video games are separate entities. One crew profitable a blowout doesn’t assure that crew profitable the subsequent sport, too. There’s no carryover of factors or momentum. A loss by 38 factors counts the identical as a loss by one level.
Clearly, the Sport 4 debacle hit further laborious as a result of the Larry O’Brien Trophy was within the Dallas enviornment, all polished and able to be handed to the Celtics. The champagne was on ice. It hurts to overlook out on that. However figuring out by the third quarter that it was time to look forward to Sport 5 harm a lot lower than, say, dropping Sport 6 at dwelling on a hellacious shot within the last seconds of double time beyond regulation.
(Two days later, Boston received Sport 7 and Banner 12 at Milwaukee, which was within the Western Convention on the time.)
Face it: The Celtics have been most likely on account of lose after profitable 10 straight playoff video games and 9 in a row on the street relationship again to final 12 months’s postseason. And it takes extraordinary circumstances for them to lose.
The one time we lose is once we are completely ice chilly and the opposing crew is insanely sizzling. It’s how Miami and Cavs every received a sport. It occurs. We’re nonetheless profitable this collection.
— Mike G☘️ (@mgend72) June 15, 2024
In a single respect, in the event that they needed to lose, being humiliated within the worst Celtics playoff loss ever ought to present further motivation for payback.
Simply look to current historical past for an instance of that state of affairs: the 2017 Warriors took a 3-0 Finals lead however have been then blown out by 21 in Cleveland. The Dubs went dwelling and closed out the collection in 5 regardless of LeBron James dropping 41 and 13 for the Cavs.
Some examples from Celtics historical past:
Within the 1982 Japanese Convention Finals, the Larry Fowl Celtics buried the Sixers in Sport 1 by 40 factors. The Cs have been throwing lob passes to third-stringers within the final moments. However Julius Erving’s Sixers have been a proud bunch. They received Sport 2 in Boston and went on to take the collection in seven, profitable the ultimate in entrance of a surprised Boston Backyard crowd.
Within the ’85 NBA Finals, the same scene performed out. The Celts crushed the Lakers in Sport 1 by 34 factors. Scott Wedman actually couldn’t miss, hitting 11-of-11 with 4 threes. The rout was nicknamed The Boston Bloodbath. But Los Angeles got here again, 109-102, to steal Sport 2. They received the title in six.
And one for the nice guys: The 1984 Celtics have been run off the court docket in Sport 3, dropping at LA, 137-104. In postgame, Fowl stated his teammates performed “like sissies.” Folks have been saying the collection was over, however the Cs fought again (actually), received Sport 4 in time beyond regulation, and the title in seven.
In every case, the gamers took their embarrassment personally and have been pushed to have the final phrase. That’s common.
The Celtics, of their Finals historical past, have misplaced six instances by 20 or extra factors. Within the ensuing sport, Boston is 5-1.
1963, L by 20, W 108-1051964, L by 24, W 98-951965, L by 21, W 112-991984, L by 33, W 129-1251985, L by 25, W 107-1052010, L by 22, L 83-79
— Dick Lipe (@DickLipe) June 15, 2024
The query now’s: will the present Celtics have the satisfaction to place this collection away on Monday? If not, then in fact we should always all be involved. However for now…
They are going to be taking part in in entrance of dwelling followers who will certainly have their depth cranked larger than excessive; Kristaps Porzingis was lively for Sport 4 and presumably will play in Sport 5; and should you like omens, the date will likely be June 17, the sixteenth anniversary of the 2008 championship clincher.
In all probability better of all, the Mavs now have the Celtics’ consideration.
Jaylen Brown stated the Celtics will have a look at the movie and discover ways to get higher.
After which, on Monday:
“We play like our life will depend on it. As a result of it does.” pic.twitter.com/VWN0T47zlK
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzellNBA) June 15, 2024