The Garden was actually shaking.
As I sat within the nook of the parquet, two cameras in my lap, cross-legged in entrance of the who’s who of Boston within the entrance rows, I had a tremendous view of the Celtics do-or-die Game 5 juggernaut.
And the followers virtually lifted the roof off the place.
Charlie Baker, sitting instantly behind me along with his spouse, fist-bumped me because the three-pointers rained down. To my proper was former Celtic nice Paul Pierce laughing and having fun with the accolades from the followers round him as he siped a cocktail from a straw.
To my left is David Portnoy, founding father of Barstool Sports sitting stoically along with his model-like girlfriend at his aspect.
I grew to become effectively conscious of the Heat’s confidence seeing them strut their stuff as they warmed up simply earlier than the sport — however that bravado quickly disintegrated.
Just earlier than tipoff, Jimmy Buttler walked over to my nook in enemy territory to fist-bump a younger lady sitting in one of many lavish flooring seats. Glaring on the Celtics followers, he took to heart court docket, grabbed the basketball from the referee, examined it by squeezing and bouncing it, then gave it again.
Then it occurred. Seconds after tipoff the Celtics exploded! The passes have been lightning-fast and bullseye correct. Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown have been diving for balls, ignoring the possible demise of their superhuman athletic our bodies.
Jason Tatum was effortlessly hitting threes and Derrick White was not lacking a shot. The crowd erupted! The deafening sound coming from the Garden felt as if the constructing was rocking because the Celtics continued to dominate the Heat by not solely their offense, however their cutthroat, do-or-die protection. Baker and his spouse have been on their toes together with 1000’s of others screaming with pure pleasure because the Celtics went forward 10 factors then 20.
Seeing the Heat crumble proper earlier than my eyes because the hometeam clung to life is one thing you witness solely a few times a season. After the sport ended Charlie Baker gave me an enormous double excessive 5 and stated, “See you back here (on Monday)!”
The Celtics beat the Heat 110-97 and head again to Miami for Game 6.
Source: www.bostonherald.com