The Boston Celtics may be in a great position to be the first NBA team to come back from a 3-0 series deficit.
The Boston Celtics got one. Now down 3-1 in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Celtics have life and, perhaps most importantly, growing confidence. That’s a dangerous thing for a team that might be in the best position to be the first team to come back from a 3-0 series deficit.
In Game 4, it’s almost as if something clicked for the struggling Celtics. And particularly in the second half.
Down six at halftime, something changed for Boston in the third quarter. Thanks to an 18-0 run, the Celtics took back control of the game (for good) and quite possibly the series. That may seem a bit premature and outlandish, but when we really take into consideration how the rest of the series is set up, you can make the argument that the Celtics, considering the circumstances of falling down 3-0 in the series, are in a great position.
Why the Boston Celtics can come back to win this series
With the series 3-1, the series now shifts back to Boston for Game 5. That’s a game you probably pencil in for the Celtics. Even though the team has struggled at home throughout the playoffs, there’s no way they lose three-straight games to the Heat on their home floor, right?
Either way, just find a way to win Game 5. I’d say the Celtics have a good shot to do that. If they do that, the series is now 3-2. All of a sudden, all of the pressure falls back on the shoulders of the Heat who will essentially have one chance to win this series on their home floor in Game 6.
I know you trust Jimmy Butler with the pressure, but are we sure the ikes of Bam Adebayo, Caleb Martin, Kyle Lowry, Gabe Vincent, and Max Strus can handle it? Plus, a Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown in a pressure-free environment on the road is not something the Heat would want to see in a Game 6.
It’s not inconceivable to say that the Celtics could steal Game 6 as they did Game 4 on the road. Plus, let’s remember, the Celtics have been a better road team all throughout this year’s postseason.
If the Celtics are able to make it through all that, it would set up a Game 7 at the TD Garden. The Celtics are not losing that.
The path to the Celtics actually pulling off this series comeback is not that difficult. It’s pretty easy to envision quite frankly. Especially considering they have the better talent and are the deeper team.
The Celtics are dangerous once again. Playing with a chip on their shoulder and with two of the next possible three games on their home floor, this is a team that could be on the verge of pulling off something historic. Maybe Jaylen Brown was right. The Heat shouldn’t have let the Celtics get one.