Shaquille O’Neal wasn’t too bothered by the Boston Celtics sustaining a 115-103 Game 5 loss. According to the former Los Angeles Lakers legend, the Cs only had “one of those games” and didn’t need to worry since they’ve been playing some good basketball all year. We found that quite surprising, and while Kenny “The Jet” Smith agreed with Shaq, Charles Barkley went on a passionate rant as to why he believed his co-analysts were wrong.
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Jayson Tatum and Co. weren’t looking half as determined as they seemed to be all series long. Playing in their own home court, the TD Garden, and with an electrifying crowd backing them up, Joe Mazzulla’s boys had a pretty forgettable performance.
While the All-Star pairing of Jaylen Brown and Tatum combined for 60 points on 43 attempts, the remaining players on the roster merely lodged 43 points on 40 attempts. Capitalizing on their opponent’s inefficiency, Joel Embiid and Co. grabbed a 12-point victory.
Charles Barkley is shocked at the Celtics’ .500 record at home in the postseason
After the conclusion of the game, the Inside the NBA panel gave their insights on Boston’s disappointing loss.
The Big Aristotle did not seem to be too concerned for the Celtics. According to the Hall Of Famer, the team played some outstanding basketball all year long and this loss was just “one of those games”. The 7-foot-1 icon said:
“Probably just one of those games. Lot of pressure on them and sometimes when it’s not going you just get in the panic mode. And Philly came out desperate. Imma just blame it on one of those games, cause you know, Boston has been really good all year. So, I’m not gonna say ‘they quit’ or ‘they weren’t focused or concentrated’. Every now and then you have one of those games.”
Yes, the Celtics have been terrific, however, losing when it matters the most is worrying. Contrary to what Shaq and Kenny think, Chuck was shocked that Tatum and Co. lacked competitiveness. Further ranting about their .500 record at home during these playoffs, the Round Mound of Rebound expressed his disappointment towards their performance.
“That’s shocking to me, that a team with that many good players, who really in the last probably 2-3 years they been in the top 1 or 2 in the Eastern Conference, to be 10-10 at home is shocking. There’s no excuse for that. I was shocked. I’m not gonna say it’s just one of those games. It’s Game 5 and a 2-2 series at home and you come out and that game was not competitive tonight. Even when it was close, you’re like ‘the Sixers gonna win this game’ and then get blown out. I don’t know what happened but that was not a good look for the Celtics tonight… That’s all it takes is 1 game in the series and the season is over.”
Statistically, the Boston Celtics only have an 18% chance of winning the series
With the Philadelphia 76ers going up 3-2 in the series, they are merely 1 win away from advancing to the conference finals. If they win, they will do so for the first time in 22 years.
Teams who have won Game 5 when the series was tied 2-2 have gone on to win the series 82% of the time (187-41).
For any Celtics supporter, this stat will get them tensed. However, despite what the odds say, the #2 seed in the Eastern Conference will have a fire in their belly.
