The Boston Celtics have captured their 18th NBA championship, surpassing the Los Angeles Lakers’ record, after a dominant season that saw them defeat the Dallas Mavericks in the Finals. Jayson Tatum played a crucial role in the Celtics’ victory, while Nikola Jokic, the Denver Nuggets’ star center, was named MVP for the third time. The Lakers, on the other hand, have experienced a period of inconsistency, failing to reach their former heights.
Boston Celtics star Kristaps Porzingis will miss the Paris Olympics due to a leg injury that requires surgery. The injury occurred during the NBA Finals and will prevent him from competing at the required level for Olympic play.
The Boston Celtics host the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals tonight, with the Celtics looking to advance to the Finals for the fourth time in five years. Despite two home losses in the postseason, the Celtics remain heavy favorites, especially with the Cavaliers dealing with injuries to Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen, and Caris LeVert. The game will be televised nationally on TNT at 7:00 p.m. ET, and there are several options for streaming the game live online.
Despite a promising Game 1 victory, the Celtics stumbled in Game 2 against the Miami Heat, prompting a reassessment of their new acquisitions, Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. While Porzingis struggled with Miami’s physicality and Holiday’s offensive contribution was limited, the Celtics acknowledge the need to make adjustments. They aim to improve their efficiency and support Porzingis better in the upcoming games.
The Boston Celtics and Miami Heat will square off in a crucial Game 3 of their opening-round NBA Playoff series. This highly anticipated matchup promises an intense battle between two Eastern Conference powerhouses.
The Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder secured victories in the NBA Eastern and Western Conference playoffs, respectively. Heat upset the top-seeded Boston Celtics 111-101, tying the series at 1-1. Tyler Herro led Miami with 24 points, while the team sank a franchise playoff record 23 three-pointers. The Celtics, led by Jaylen Brown’s 33 points, struggled to match Miami’s long-range accuracy. Meanwhile, in the West, the Thunder took a commanding 2-0 lead against the New Orleans Pelicans with a dominant 124-92 win. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma City with 33 points, while Chet Holmgren added 26. The series now shifts to New Orleans for game three on Saturday.
Former Celtics legend Paul Pierce expressed his pride in being despised by Miami Heat fans during a recent appearance on the Dan LeBatard Show. Pierce reminisced about the intense rivalry between the Celtics and Heat during the ‘Big Three’ era, highlighting a game-winning shot he made against the Heat in 2010. Despite the Celtics having one less playoff series victory against the Heat in that three-year period, Pierce boasts a 39-18 career record against the Southeast Division franchise.
The Boston Celtics faced a surprising challenge in their Eastern Conference opening-round playoff series against the eighth-seeded Miami Heat, losing Game 2 at home 111-101. Despite missing key players Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier, the Heat made key adjustments and set a franchise playoff record with 23 made 3-pointers. Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis struggled to find his rhythm, while Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown lacked sufficient support. Miami’s swarming defense and Porzingis’s isolation proved problematic for Boston, sending the series to Miami with the Celtics facing pressure.
Brian Barrett recaps a busy night in Boston sports, with the Celtics faltering against the Heat and the Bruins securing a thrilling victory in Toronto. He then engages in a discussion with WEEI’s Nick “Fitzy” Stevens about the NFL draft, exploring potential quarterbacks and receivers that could be available for the Patriots at their pick at no. 3. Barrett and Jamie McClellan also delve into the draft and touch upon the Red Sox. Listeners are encouraged to share their thoughts by leaving voicemails or sending emails to offthepike@gmail.com.
Jimmy Butler is still making his presence felt in the playoffs, despite being sidelined with an MCL sprain. After his Miami Heat bounced back from a Game 1 loss to the Boston Celtics, Butler took to Instagram to troll his opponents with a quote from Celtics guard Jaylen Brown. Brown’s quote, “Don’t let us get one,” came last year when Boston trailed Miami 0-3 in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics rallied to win three straight games before Miami ultimately won Game 7 and advanced to the NBA Finals. Butler, who is expected to miss the rest of the first round, is still communicating with his teammates and providing encouragement. Kyle Lowery, who led the Heat with 24 points and 14 assists in Game 2, revealed that Butler texted him before the series to give him confidence and urge him to lead the team. The Heat will host the next two games of the series in Miami, looking to extend their lead and take a commanding 3-1 advantage.
