The Boston Celtics proceed their remake of “Four Days In October” on Saturday with Game 6
in opposition to the Miami Heat within the Eastern Conference Finals at Crypto-Crash Arena in South Beach.
Boston trails 3-2 after its Game 5 wire-to-wire blowout of the Heat at TD Garden. It marked the
first time Charles Barkley ever cashed a profitable wager.
Game 6 typically lacks the pop, punch, and energy of Game 7.
Game 6 is Miley Cyrus.
Game 7 is Taylor Swift.
Game 6 is Jan.
Game 7 is Marcia.
Game 6 is Twitter Spaces.
Game 7 is Instagram Live.
Game 6 wears trifocals.
Game 7 has 20/10 imaginative and prescient.
Game 6 has Derrick White’s hairline.
Game 7 carries the coif of Marcus Smart.
Game 6 has a Dad Bod.
Game 7 is 2018 Gronk.
Game 6 Is Narragansett.
Game 7 is Sam Adams.
Game 6 is “Guardians of the Galaxy.”
Game 7 is “Star Wars.”
What can we count on tonight? Once in a fantastic whereas, Game 6 leaves an simple impression. It
turns into the one we keep in mind.
Let’s give it some respect.
Game 6 gave us Carlton Fisk.
Nearly 50 years later, Fisk’s foul-pole shot within the twelfth inning of the penultimate sport of the
1975 World Series at Fenway Park is as a lot part of Red Sox lore as something John Henry
might ever hope to fabricate. Game 7 was performed later that very same night time. It was the best
anticlimax in Boston sports activities historical past. Most individuals know the Red Sox misplaced, however few keep in mind the
particulars. I used to be there within the bleachers at age 10. The scar is sutured into my sports activities soul.
Game 6 gave us Bill Buckner.
Yes, everyone knows that Stanley blew it. And that Calvin Schiraldi pulled the unique Schiraldi. But
Bill Buckner’s incapacity to place his glove to the bottom has endlessly (unfairly) been bronzed because the
signature second of the 1986 World Series. Game 7 got here two nights later. Al Nipper
administered the ultimate dose of pentobarbital.
Game 6 gave us Curt Schilling.
He took the mound in Game 6 at Yankee Stadium as Boston continued to claw again from its 3-0
deficit to the Yankees within the 2004 ALCS. Pitching on one leg, kind of, Schilling and the Red
Sox bled their approach to 4-2 win. Game 7 was a victory lap as hell froze over within the New York
tabloids. After leaving baseball, Schilling dedicated treason by voting Republican. He has since
been banned in Boston by the Boston Globe’s editorial web page.
Game 6 gave us 17 Seconds Of Hell
The 2013 Boston Bruins trailed Chicago 3-2 in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Boston held a
2-1 lead late within the third. But Chicago’s Bryan Bickell tied it at 18:44. Dave Bolland potted the
game-winner simply 17 seconds later. And the Bruins accomplished the best collapse this aspect of
the Berlin Wall. Thanks, Tuukka.
Game 6 gave us “Anything Is Possible!”
Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and the remainder of the Celtics demolished Kobe Bryant’s
Lakers 131-92 in Game 6 of the 2008 NBA Finals. That win clinched Banner 17. Sadly, it’s been
15 years for the reason that Celtics gained a championship. Even worse, they’ve solely gained one NBA title in
the previous 36 Junes. Garnett’s primal “anything is possible” scream has change into a staple on NBA
hype reels.
Of the 150 groups who misplaced the primary three video games of an NBA playoff sequence, the Celtics are the simply
fifteenth to achieve Game 6. Only three pressured a Game 7.
And, after all, none has ever accomplished the four-game comeback.
“1-150?”
“Why Not Us?”
Depends on which model of the Celtics opts to look. Boston waited till the ultimate quarter of
Game 4 to reach on this sequence. Aside from Jayson Tatum’s historic play in Game 7 in opposition to the
Sixers, the Celtics have traditionally underperformed this postseason.
Boston ought to have dispatched Atlanta and Philly in not more than 5 video games apiece. That the
Celtics by no means peak till their literal and metaphorical backs are in opposition to the wall is – in a phrase –
irritating.
The Celtics have been a considerable favourite earlier than this sequence. Boston was allegedly wholesome, deeper,
and extra gifted. Unfortunately for three-plus video games, the Celtics lacked the grit and balls that drove
Garnett & Co. in 2008.
The Heat ran at room temperature in Game 5 with out the injured Gabe Vincent. That Vincent
has emerged as maybe the Heat’s Non-Jimmy Butler MVP is a inform at simply how deep Miami has
dug into its roster.
The Celtics have been classic Aerosmith on Thursday night time. They discovered their concord and jammed
continuous whereas rocking the home. “Back In The Saddle” for 48 minutes.
But you don’t get a Duck Boat parade for profitable Game 5 within the Eastern Conference Finals. Or
Game 6, both.
While items of the calamitous narrative sown earlier this week might have tempered, the season
ranks as a “Major Fail” if the NBA Finals don’t start in Boston subsequent Thursday night time. Whether it
is considered as an historic choke job, or only a main disappointment, gained’t actually matter.
Joe Mazzulla might have saved his job by not getting swept. But if Mazzulla does return, it will
solely be out of comfort and deference to his alleged benefactor, Tatum.
In a lot the identical manner Bill O’Brien was introduced in to reclaim the Patriots offense on the behest
of Robert Kraft, Mazzulla could have an grownup presence or two in his teaching workers. Whether he
desires it or not.
The identical holds with the lineup. Substantial change is inevitable even when the Celtics have been to
sweep this home-and-home with Miami. Just how deep and drastic that change might be relies upon
a lot on what occurs tonight – and Monday in Game 7.
If essential.
Bill Speros (@RealOBF and @BillSperos) could be reached at [email protected])
Source: www.bostonherald.com