NBA

Why Celtics Fans Should Be Freaking Out (And Why They Shouldn’t) After Game 4

We like getting fan perspectives on big sports stories – like the Eastern Conference Finals, for example. To that end, we’ve enlisted Boston fan Dan Spritz to share his Celtics-related thoughts during the series. His Game 4 postmortem is below.

In a game where foul trouble seemed to be an issue for every player, the Celtics pulled out a 93-91, overtime win. Paul Pierce fouled out for the second time in the series, while LeBron James fouled out for the first time as a member of the Heat. James had 29 points, while Dwyane Wade added 20. The Celtics entire starting lineup scored in double digits, with Pierce scoring 23 and Rajon Rondo adding 15 points and 15 assists.

Why Celtics Fans Should Be Freaking Out

In the first quarter, the Celtics scored 34 points. In the second quarter, they scored 27. In the second half, they scored 28 points, and entirely squandered a 14-point lead. It doesn’t matter that they won, because that scoring degradation is terrible. Instead of going in for the kill, they let the Heat back into the game in the third quarter. In fact, the Heat have significantly outscored the Celtics in the third quarter in three games this series. That’s not a championship trend. Even if they do win the series, that kind of play won’t work in the finals. A quarter like that against the Spurs or Thunder could easily put the game out of reach.

Why Celtics Fans Should Be Feeling Good

I cannot fully describe how much joy Celtics fans derive from this being the first game James has fouled out of as a member of the Heat. Contrasting The Decision and the provincial glee Bostonians have taken in watching this team play so cohesively the last five years, he never had a chance. On top of that, no Celtics fan could ever respect LeBron after he quit against the Celtics in the 2010 playoffs. That stuff sticks. I guarantee that if Wade made the 3 at the buzzer, every Celtics fan would have deemed the series over and then immediately taken solace in LeBron fouling out.

The Celtics didn’t lose though, and it feels good to have the series tied at two. Even more, there hasn’t been a game in this series that the Celtics couldn’t have won. Game 1 got away from them, but they were still within striking distance in the fourth quarter. Home court advantage obviously means a lot, but at this point the Celtics only need to win one game in Miami.

How I Actually Feel

The officiating was way too hands-on. The refs didn’t let anything go, and that changed the complexion of the game. Besides Pierce and James fouling out, Mickael Pietrus, Brandon Bass, and Mario Chalmers finished the game with five fouls. Not to be outdone, Joel Anthony, Wade, and Rondo each finished with 4 fouls. That’s eight key players in foul trouble down the stretch, which simply shouldn’t happen. Amazingly, KG avoided foul trouble, and he’s insane. There was nothing unfair about the situation, the officials were just making every borderline call, and during the end of the fourth quarter and overtime, players were considerably less aggressive. The continued poor officiating concerns me, because there’s no way to prepare for that kind of volatility. The Heat could easily win the series, but I’m worried that they may win because of poor officiating. Conversely, I’m worried that the Celtics may win with the help of some sketchy calls. Neither situation is satisfying, and I really hope the referees keep a lower profile from here on out.

Regardless of the effect the officials will have, Game 5 feels like a must-win. A few days ago I didn’t think the Celtics would have any chance to win in Miami. I still have doubts, but at least now I believe they can win.

Agree? Disagree? Be sure to follow Dan Spritz on Twitter, and write shouty, all-caps tweets at him about being a Masshole.