Boston Celtics: 3 reasons why fans should feel good ahead of Game 7

Have faith Boston Celtics fans: you should feel good about your team’s chances tonight against the Toronto Raptors in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

So, Game 6 wasn’t ideal for Boston Celtics fans. Yeah, losing isn’t fun. But when losing happens for reasons beyond control of the two teams playing on the court, it becomes endlessly frustrating. Not just as a fan of a particular team either. When the on-court product is effected by outside sources–in this case refereeing–the integrity of the game is damaged.

Either way, the Toronto Raptors were winners on Wednesday night, and now there is a winner-take-all, win-or-go-home, everything-is-at-stake Game 7 between the defending champions and a Celtics team that many believe are ready to compete for a championship right now.

Well, one more win for Boston would put them right back in the conference finals for the second time in three seasons. Obviously, a win would mean the same for Toronto. Both teams should feel good about the fact that their teams have been in this situation before. Last year, Kawhi Leonard’s miracle shot in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals ended Philadelphia’s season. They haven’t recovered, having been swept by the Cs this season.

Two seasons ago, Brad Stevens went 1-1 in Game 7’s. His Celtics defeated the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals before LeBron James’ Cavaliers took the Eastern Conference crown in the conference finals.

Tonight is different, though. Nick Nurse no longer has Leonard, and Stevens’ stars from those series have matured. Other than that fact, here are three more reasons Boston Celtics fans should feel good about their chances of winning tonight’s Game 7:

History is on their side

A lot of times, historical stats reveal very little about current day matchups. That said, it’s always fun to come across a stat like this:

Again, the results of games from the “Big 3” era and the days of John Havlicek and Paul Silas have no bearing on tonight’s games. But if you believe in superstition, it appears as though the Raptors just came back in Game 6 only to have their hearts ripped out in Game 7.

Per Yahoo, here are some other positive Celtics stats:

–The Celtics are 23-9 in Game 7s in franchise history. Those 23 Game 7 wins are the most all-time.

–Since 1980, the C’s are 6-2 in Game 7s during the Eastern Conference semifinals.

–Boston is 3-2 in its last five Game 7s after losing Game 6.

–Celtics coach Brad Stevens is 2-1 in Game 7s in seven seasons with Boston.

Kemba’s confident

If there were ever a person that you wouldn’t expect to be confident after Game 6, it’s Kemba Walker:

Walker struggled big-time in Game 6, but that hasn’t appeared to have shaken his confidence:

If there’s anyone you can trust to make a critical comeback in a high-stakes situation, it’s the man they call “Cardiac Kemba”. He’s got this, Boston Celtics fans.

Boston’s emphasis on defense will lead to success

The Boston Celtics own several significant postseason defensive stats: leading the 2020 NBA playoffs in points allowed, opponent field goal percentage, and opponent 3-point percentage.

As Stevens has made clear, it’s a mindset:

0.5 seconds of lackadaisical defense in Game 3 changed the course of this series. Had it not been for O.G. Anunoby’s last-second 3-point buzzer-beater, it’s possible the Boston Celtics would be preparing for a conference finals matchup with Miami.

That’s okay though Cs fans. Tonight, you get to experience Game 7, and no matter what happens, you should feel good about your chances going into tonight and going forward in 2020 and beyond.