Perhaps Kevin Garnett was right. Just as he shouted to celebrate Boston's championship in 2008, everything truly is possible. Even the impossible!
The Celtics are on the verge of writing a memorable story and with it, joining an exclusive club. The HEAT, too, but if the Celtics achieve a comeback from 0-3, they will be more than finalists, they will be legends.
Of the 150 teams that have faced a 3-0 disadvantage in a seven-game series, only 14, that is, 9.3%, have managed to extend it to a sixth game. None have managed to win the series, and most were already eliminated at this point.
But the Celtics are not like the others. They have reduced the deficit in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat to 3-2, and even though they are still behind in the series, they carry the momentum in their favor heading into Game 6 this Saturday in Miami.
"Obviously, we didn't imagine being in this position, down 3-0, but when adversity strikes, you can see what the team is made of," admitted Celtics forward Jaylen Brown. "I mean, it can't get worse than being down 3-0, but we haven't gone in opposite directions, we have stayed together."
Only three teams have managed to tie a series 3-3 after being down 3-0; the Celtics could become the fourth team if they secure a victory on Saturday. No team has managed to escape the abyss of 3-0, but a win in Game 6 would give Boston the chance to make history in Game 7, to be played on Monday at home.
"One of our assistants put it into perspective: the season lasts nine months, and we've only had one bad week," commented Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla.
Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets await their opponent. If the Celtics win the series, the Nuggets will visit the Celtics for the first game of the NBA Finals. If the Miami Heat wins the East, they will travel to Denver for the opening showdown. Either way, the championship series will begin on June 1, somewhere.
The Heat had a nine-point lead in the third quarter of Game 4 and were poised to sweep the series. However, in just two and a half minutes, they let the advantage slip away, and the Celtics have not been at a disadvantage since.
Like the waves of the Miami sea, the HEAT is destined to rise and break all barriers on their path to victory. May the passion and fighting spirit of the city inspire them to overcome any obstacles and show that together, as a red tide, they are unstoppable.
"The last two games are not who we really are. It was like that," acknowledged Heat forward Jimmy Butler. "We stopped playing defensively because we weren't making the shots we needed. But that can easily be fixed.
Miami, the city of sun and unleashed passion, eagerly awaits the next chapter of this battle on the court. May every fan in the stands and at home become the sixth player, filling the atmosphere with their fervor and unwavering support to propel the HEAT towards glory.
Let the HEAT make the entire city hold its breath until Saturday, as they embody the spirit of Miami and the relentless pursuit of victory. In the face of adversity, they will rise and showcase their true potential, proving that in the game of basketball, as in life, anything is possible. Miami stands united behind their beloved team, ready to witness history in the making. Go HEAT!