Jaylen Brown talks Red Sox 2004 and more ahead of Game 6
Celtics
“We also believe.”
Jaylen Brown dribbles as Duncan Robinson defends during Game 5. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
As the Celtics continue to play against the Miami Heat, comparisons to the 2004 Red Sox continue to grow day by day.
The 2004 Red Sox, of course, overcame a 0-3 series deficit to outlast the Yankees in seven games and ultimately win their first World Series in 86 years.
The 2023 Celtics fell to an 0-3 hole against the Heat and found a way to win Game 4 on Tuesday and Game 5 on Thursday. They are two wins away from becoming the first team in NBA history to qualify after losing the first three games of a series.
Game 6 is scheduled for Saturday at 8:30 p.m. in Miami, and the Celtics are once again favored.
Jaylen Brown, in a pre-game interview with Abby Chin of NBC Sports Boston on Saturday, acknowledged that the Celtics discussed comparisons between the two teams. ESPN’s Zach Lowe noted in his podcast that the Celtics were watching game-by-game clips of the Red Sox’s comeback along the way.
“The more games we win, the more the fans talk about it, the more the coaches talk about it in the locker room, saying it’s possible and it can be done,” Brown told Chin. “We also believe.”
Brown told Chin that the Celtics think they’re the better team but didn’t play like that. He said they felt like it was their destiny to move forward, much like the Red Sox did 19 years ago.
He and Marcus Smart channeled their inner Kevin Millar by indicating before Game 4 that the Heat shouldn’t let the Celtics win one. They did it, then they let it happen again in Game 5, and now the Celtics are halfway there.
“History is upon us,” Brown said, “and we must respond.”
Over five games, Brown had a relatively quiet streak by his standards, averaging 17.6 points while shooting just 20 percent from 3-point range.
Brown, who had an ice pack on his left wrist as he chatted with Chin, said the injury had nothing to do with watering plants. He said everyone has injuries at this time of year and he will never find excuses. He is focusing on Game 6.
He said the Celtics need to leave the odds aside, expect physicality and heat intensity, and be strong enough and mentally strong enough to persevere.
“I felt like everything was bad the first three games,” Brown said. “The last two, it felt like the momentum had changed a bit.”
While the Celtics know the past won’t do them any good, they believe their experience in erasing 3-2 deficits can only help them as they face their toughest challenge yet.
“We feel good,” Brown said. “I think the conviction is strong.”
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