Array
The Celtics got off to a strong start and secured a comfortable 110-97 season-saving win over the Heat in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Thursday. Boston, having trailed in the series 3-0, now heads to Miami for Game 6 on Saturday night (8:30 p.m.) down 3-2.
The Red Sox begin a three-game series tonight in Arizona against the Diamondbacks at 9:40 p.m.
Kendrick Perkins on the Celtics’ chances: Following the Celtics’ Game 5 win to keep the Eastern Conference Finals going — and force a Game 6 in Miami — plenty of basketball analysis credited Boston for making a (mini) comeback in the last two games.
Still, one former Celtic isn’t quite ready to add his praise. During a Friday morning appearance on ESPN’s “First Take,” Kendrick Perkins gave his old team some tough love.
“Let me start off by saying this: Why should we give any type of props to the Boston Celtics?” asked Perkins. “They don’t need no damn applause. What did they do, besides avoiding a sweep in Game 4 and finally winning a Game 5 at home? They have been horrible at home, and have blown multiple Game 5s this postseason, against the Hawks and against the Philadelphia 76ers.
“When I look at the Celtics right now, Derrick White is making shots. Jayson Tatum is consistently, in back-to-back games, finally looking like the best player on the floor,” Perkins added. “But do I have them coming back to win this series? Hell no.
