Staring Down the Abyss, Can the Celtics Do the Improbable?

“In my 44 years of being associated with the NBA, I never thought I’d see a Boston Celtics team, a franchise with 17 Championships, quit. “I know Celtics fans all over the world must be disgusted and devastated.” Those words were tweeted by a 5-time NBA champion, Ervin Magic Johnson. Legendary Sportscaster, Dick Vitale chimed in, “I have never ever seen the @Celtics embarrassed like tonight in a big game. Their team defense was non-existent & their effort was pathetic.” Yes, in recap, the Boston Celtics have been accused of quitting and delivering a pathetic performance. That is a damning accusation against any group of professional teams, let alone a franchise tied for the most championships in the NBA’s history. The Miami Heat throttled the reigning Eastern Conference Champions, and the team from Beantown is staring down the abyss of being eliminated from the playoffs with another loss. Yet, for a fan that has followed this team all year, it is hard to believe that this team will go out on a whimper by getting swept tonight. So, is there a path for this team to right the wrongs and pull off the improbable comeback? In this article, we outline three nuggets for fans to cling to as they prepare for Game 4.

1. Shame should renew hunger-the ray of hope from Celtics fans is that Game 3 is about as ugly as it gets. The team lacked energy, purpose, and confidence, and everyone involved must take the slap across the face. However, it should fuel their desire to turn around and strike back. On the road, superstars have to lead from the forefront, and there is no doubt Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum will want to make amends. In Game 3, the duo scored a combined 26 points, while Gabe Vincent and Duncan Robinson scored 51 points. Jimmy Butler was held to only 16 points but did lead his team with six assists and eight rebounds. I think the strategy to let the others beat you is right, but the Celtics must play better defense and close out on the shooters. The Heat shot 19 of 35 or 54 percent in Game 4. I don’t think the Heat will shoot that ridiculous percentage two games in a row. The Celtics need Rob Williams to play big minutes and anchor the defense. Yes, Celtics fans should expect a better effort in Game 4, and I think shame will be the motivating factor.

2. Breaking the 0-3 record-the Celtics’ predicament is that since 1984 110 teams have gone down 0-3 in an NBA playoffs series, and none of them have come back to win the series. In fact, 70 of those series have ended in sweeps, 31 have forced a Game 5, 7 have gone to six games, and only two have even pushed the series to 7 games. Believe it or not, it gets worse. The Celtics have a steeper climb because 13 lower-seeded teams have been up 3-0 over the higher-seeded teams, and in those scenarios, 10 of them have completed the sweep. The death knell is that no higher-seeded team has forced a Game 7 in that scenario. Despite all those stats, the Celtics’ mentality should be, who cares? Team sports records are meant to be broken! The Celtics don’t have to look too far because in this century two teams across town pulled off two of the most improbable comebacks in recent memory. In February 2017, the Patriots were down 28 to 3 to the Atlanta Falcons in Superbowl LI and most fans felt the game was over. Then, Tom Brady engineered the greatest comeback in America’s biggest game to win improbably. In 2004, The Boston Red Sox became the first MLB team to come back from an 0-3 deficit to beat the rival New York Yankees. Interestingly, the Red Sox lost two close games one and two, by a combined five runs. However, Game 3 was a backbreaking embarrassing blowout loss of 19-8. The Celtics lost Games 1 and 2 against the Heat after having double-digit leads in both games but then lost a clunker in Game 3. Yet, no one could have predicted the events that unfolded in Game 4-7 in 2004. Yes, they are different sports, but the Celtics should be asking the question, why not us? It’s bound to happen one day.

3. Finding the unlikely heroes-the engineering of a comeback is a team effort, and usually unlikely heroes step forward to become legends. Dave Roberts is a World Series Champion manager with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but he will always be known in Boston as the guy that stole second as a springboard for the comeback. Julian Edelman is remembered for that incredible shoestring catch, and James White had the game of his life with 19 touches, 129 yards, and three touchdowns. Joe Mazzulla needs to turn this season around by looking at his bench for a spark to jump-start his team. A player desperate for a championship is Blake Griffin, who needs to be considered for playing time in Game 4. Yes, he is old, but he brings energy, takes charge, and shoots 3s. I think Mike Muscala should get consideration for his versatility as a big man to shoot threes. Joe might get much-needed help also from Sam Houser, who is a streaky shooter and could offset Duncan Robinson’s impact. The Celtics shot 11 of 42 or 26.2%, and it cannot happen in Game 4. I think Joe may need to consider even inserting one of those bench players to surprise the opponent and send a message to his team. Yes, Game 4 is about finding an unlikely hero who rises to the challenge and delivers.

If the Celtics win Game 4, then could they really lose three home games in one series in Game 5? That would be hard to believe. Game 6 in Miami is another opportunity for Jayson Tatum to add to his legend of Game 6 performances. If it reaches Game 7 in the raucous TD, the Sixers, and Bucks have learned in back-to-back seasons that it is difficult to play the team in Green with everything on the line on the road. It may just be wishful thinking but in the words of Kevin Garnett “anything is possible.”