"They are finally taking us seriously," says Malik Monk. Sitting on the bus, the Kings try to get into the arena. Boston fans surrounded the bus, all coming out with insulting slogans. Celtics fans didn't take the Kings seriously.
Having a glorious past can be weird. The Celtics have one of the most impressive pasts in the NBA, and the gap with the Kings will never catch up. That's why Boston fans have clung so much to their past since the start of the Finals.
They think they are sure to win from the start. They don't want to admit that nothing goes as planned, but the reality is more frightening.
"I'm sure you know the goal is to lift the title here. If that's not possible, the series stops in Sacramento. »
As Hector said, no one can guarantee beating Boston at TD twice. They are not at home, and a burst of pride is expected in front of their fans and banners. The Celtics' championship banners are what makes them proud.
The confidence of the overlord.
That's all the years of reign over the NBA.
It would be disastrous for them to see the Lakers overtake them. One Lakers title, and they'll be tied. That's not what they can bear. The significance will be too great if exceeded. Like it or not, the Boston Celtics are one of the locomotives of the NBA.
My Celtics fans despised the Kings and didn't think they could win. The arrogance without hostility towards the Kings players was unbearable for the Kings. In their eyes, the Kings are just a name in the background of their glory.
They are not worthy of respect because they are only rookies in the NBA Finals. But after the first two games lost, Boston fans quickly fell back to earth and feared what would happen next. According to them, the unimaginable world in which Kings are champions does exist.
So they do what they can to help the team!
Security had to intervene, a hostile welcome worthy of the Lakers besieged for half an hour. Pat Ewing knows these moments well and reassures the group:
"Don't worry, and don't be bothered by these things," Ewing said.
The Kings are excited to have won the first two games. For them, it's not just wins. Celtics fans are right; apart from Barnes, no one knows about the NBA Finals. Having the psychological ascendancy and engendering confidence is what was needed.
We have Hector, we have D'Fox! No one can beat us without paying the price! Our legend starts from here!
A thing called champion temperament is starting to be created in this team.
***
Jaylen Brown and Jason Tatum are no longer laughing in the Boston Celtics locker room. Joe Mazzulla finished his team's final tactical adjustments. Thinking about winning the Kings four times in a row is a waste of time, so every game is a new game, and every game is a G7.
"Jay, this is our last chance. The management will not be satisfied if we do not win this title. Tatum is clear about the thoughts of management. Brad Stevens has been thinking about trading one of the two for quite some time, but they have made it to the finals this season.
It is the last chance to win it together. Both have only known Boston in the NBA, and the grass is no greener elsewhere.
"We're going to win tonight," Brown replied without a shadow of a doubt.
"Yes, we will win."
The loss of Marcus Smart has consequences in this kind of situation. Smart was a barker and the soul of this team. His natural rage to win would have remobilized all the troops. It's not that Tatum and Brown aren't leaders, but they're not vocal leaders.
Instead, they are not used to doing so. They are excellent leaders, to the point of bringing a team back to the NBA Finals, and should congratulated for that. However, some situations require some leadership.
And Joe Mazzulla can't make up for that. Ewing is a barker and will know how to reframe the Kings in this situation. While Mazzulla is calmer and more composed, only the genius of the Celtics can save them. That's why Tatum says it's their last chance.
Because if the Kings win this game, they can win the next one, but they will lose in Sacramento, whether at the G5 or the G7. No one has made up a 0-3 deficit, and even though Boston came close to doing it in 2023, the Kings are not the Heat.
We're talking about a 60-win, undefeated team in Sacramento. Even winning the G5 would be an achievement, as it would prevent the Kings from having an undefeated season at home.
Seeing the Jay's expression, Boston players are relieving pressure on them, moving into the arena with the determination to win. At all costs!