Boston Celtics NBA Finals: C's Fired Up To Be Back Home For Game 3

Boston MA

08 June, 2022

10:52 AM

Description

BOSTON, MA — The NBA Finals experience is taking over Boston for the first time in 12 years as the Celtics return home looking to take control of their series against the Golden State Warriors. The Celtics host the Warriors in Game 3 Wednesday night (9 p.m.) with Game 4 set for Friday. If necessary, Game 6 would be next Thursday. Boston will be looking for a big boost from the home fans after winning Game 1 in San Francisco, but crumbling in the second half of a lopsided Game 2 loss on Sunday. "We've been knocked down a lot early this season," Celtics guard Marcus Smart during his media availability on Tuesday. "We knew how it feels to be knocked down and we know what we can withstand. "It ain't nothing that we haven't seen or have been in any situation before. So for us it's just to keep fighting because we know our potential when we do that." Boston is 6-0 following losses during these playoffs. The Celtics will be looking to respond to Draymond Green's style of bully ball that he ramped up to get under their skin in Game 2, while reestablishing a more balanced attack after stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown carried an inefficient scoring load in Game 2 and Smart (2 points), Al Horford (2 points) and Derrick White (12 points) had quieter games. While Boston's run through two seven-game series in these NBA Playoffs is plenty evidence of how momentum can shift rapidly from game to game — even quarter to quarter — what happens in the two games in Boston over the next three days will likely to go a long way toward determining whether a Banner 18 will soon rise to the Garden rafters. "If you win a championship they can debate a lot of things but they can't debate whether you are a champion," Tatum said. "So, obviously, lost the other night. Just looking forward to being back at home. "First Finals game at the Garden. It's going to be fun. So I'm looking forward to it." Those looking to catch one of the games in person will have to pony up big-time with the least expensive balcony seats for Game 3 going for $669 on Ace Ticket's secondary market site as of Wednesday morning with lower Loge seats up to $7,250 and courtside seats at $11,500. It's looking even more pricey for Game 4 on Friday with balcony tickets starting at $895 for that one and courtside seats ranging up to $15,200. The MBTA Commuter Rail will be providing late service after Celtics' home games during the NBA Finals. The last trains leaving North Station will be held for 15 minutes after the conclusion of the game. Fortunately, you don't have to be inside the Garden to enjoy some of the NBA Experience in Boston this week. While a Game 3 viewing party outside Sam Adams Park at Fanueil Hall was canceled because of weather concerns, a "pep rally" was held at City Hall Plaza Wednesday morning. Officials said the decision about a possible Game 4 outdoor viewing party Friday night will be made later this week. Fans outside of the city looking for a collective viewing experience can head to the Mendon Twin Drive-In where gates will open at 7 p.m. and admission will be free until the parking lot is full. Here is the remaining schedule for the 2022 NBA Finals: Game 1 — Boston 120, at Golden State 108 Game 2 — At Golden State 107, Boston 88 Game 3 — Golden State at Boston, Wednesday, June 8, 9 p.m. Game 4 — Golden State at Boston, Friday, June 10, 9 p.m. Game 5 — Boston at Golden State, Monday, June 13, 9 p.m. Game 6 (if necessary) — Golden State at Boston, Thursday, June 16, 9 p.m. Game 7 (if necessary) — Boston at Golden State, Sunday, June 19, 8 p.m. (Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at [email protected]. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)