Despite Loss, Celtics Confidence Still High
If you were expecting a livid Celtics locker room, you’d be surprised at the overall tone. Kevin Garnett seemed the most upset at a failed chance to end the series and generate much-needed rest. But Boston players were not short on confidence, even after their dismal offensive effort.
“Win or go home,” Garnett said. “Confidence is very high. We’ve been here before, very experienced. All out. Nothing less.”
It’s hard to imagine the Celtics’ offense giving much less. And that’s what Boston clung to as a bit of a silver lining. The Celtics played about as bad of an offensive game as they could and still had a chance to steal one. Players rallied around the notion that making some adjustments — and, more importantly, some shots — should allow them to finish this series on Saturday.
At the end of his news conference on Wednesday, (Doc) Rivers was asked if this loss reminds him of a Game 6 loss to the Cavaliers in the 2008 conference semifinals. Boston shot 39.7 percent and endured an ugly 74-69 defeat in Cleveland, only to bounce back with a 97-92 triumph in Game 7 in Boston two days later.
Rivers smiled and noted he didn’t remember that until the reporter brought it up, then said, “If we can do the same thing then that would be terrific.”
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