The Boston Celtics could’ve closed out the NBA Finals in Game 4, but that wasn’t the case.
Joe Mazzulla’s team turned back to some old habits, as they didn’t seem to be ready to play, and went through the motions for most of the game.
It was never actually close, and the Dallas Mavericks finally showed a larger sense of urgency to get back in this series.
That’s why, following the game, Charles Barkley was livid at the Celtics.
Talking on NBA TV, the Hall of Famer called out the Celtics for an ’embarrassing’ performance, stating that they were nonchalant and just jacked up shots, thinking the Mavs would throw in the towel.
This is the NBA Finals we’re talking about; every possession matters.
The Mavs are trying to do something that has never been done, which is to come back from a 0-3 deficit.
Needless to say, that will be easier said than done, especially considering the fact that the Celtics are the most stacked team in the game and have looked quite dominant for most of the season.
Then again, Mazzulla’s team has a tendency to lose games they are supposed to win, and Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have a long history of shortcomings in the playoffs as well, which is always a concern with them.
The Mavericks will continue to play like a team that has nothing to lose, whereas pressure could mount for a Celtics team that has never been this close to the ultimate glory.
