Boston, MA

Parallels between ’04 Sox, ’23 C’s impossible to ignore

Published

2 years ago

May 28, 2023

Parallels between ’04 Sox, ’23 C’s impossible to ignore

With the Boston Celtics a win away from becoming the first team in NBA history to come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a best-of-seven series, it’s hard not to think about another Boston team who pulled off that unprecedented feat 19 years ago.

Yes, those 2004 Red Sox were down 3-0 to the Yankees in that year’s American League Championship Series. And in a memorable four-game sequence, they came back to shock the world. No MLB team came back from 3-0 before that, and it hasn’t happened again since ’04.

When the Celtics won Game 6 in Miami on Derrick White’s tap-in at the buzzer on Saturday night, one of the most famous members of the 2004 Red Sox was on-site and in disbelief.

“My buddy I play golf with, he was like, ‘You’ve got to go, because you’re one of the only people who knows what this is like,’” Johnny Damon said Sunday morning in an interview with MLB.com. “What a crazy finish.”

Damon, wearing his 2004 World Series ring as he took in Game 6, knows what these finishes are like when a team is on the verge of elimination.

“What we did, it’s the greatest comeback ever, until, maybe, another Boston team does it,” Damon said.

Four NHL teams have come back from 3-0. But in MLB, it is just the Red Sox. And in the NBA, the Celtics are one victory from being the first team in 151 tries to pull it off.

While the Celtics still need to win Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals in Boston on Monday night, there have already been some parallels to the ’04 Sox.

Game 3: Blowouts
Not only did the Red Sox lose Game 3 to fall into that daunting 3-0 deficit, but they got crushed in doing so, suffering a 19-8 loss at Fenway Park. Dan Shaughnessy, the long-time columnist for The Boston Globe, wrote that the Red Sox would go down as a “pack of frauds” if they got swept by the Yankees. At that time, the Red Sox hadn’t won a World Series in 86 years. The Yankees had won 26 in that same span.

As for these Celtics, they blew double-digit leads in Boston to lose Games 1 and 2. And in Game 3, they were embarrassed, losing 128-102. At the postgame press conference, players and coach Joe Mazzulla were asked if the team quit or threw in the towel. Perhaps those words inspired the Celtics, much like Kevin Millar has long stated that Shaughnessy’s “pack of frauds” rhetoric fired up his band of “Idiots.”

Game 4: ‘Don’t let us win tonight’
In case you didn’t think anyone believed when the Red Sox were down 3-0 in the hours leading up to Game 4, cameras were perfectly stationed near Millar during batting practice. He was captured on video telling anyone who would listen — including Shaughnessy — “Don’t let us win tonight.”

However, the Sox were down, 4-3, in the bottom of the ninth, with Mariano Rivera — arguably the best closer in history — on the mound. Millar opened the ninth with a walk. Dave Roberts ran for him and stole second. Bill Mueller ripped an RBI single to tie it up. And in the 12th inning, David Ortiz mashed a walk-off, two-run shot off Paul Quantrill.

The Celtics mimicked the Red Sox in the day or so leading up to Game 4. Marcus Smart said, “Don’t let us win one.” Jaylen Brown said something similar. Millar had to be looking on with pride.

But then the Heat went up by nine points early in the second half, and the Celtics looked to be in trouble. The Heat didn’t even have Mariano Rivera. Backed by Jayson Tatum’s 33 points and 11 rebounds, Boston roared back for a 116-99 win.

“Don’t let us win another one,” Brown warned the Heat.

Game 5: Setting up a happy flight for one team
The way Damon remembers it, the momentum really shifted after Game 5, when Big Papi blooped an RBI single in the bottom of the 14th for another walk-off hit.

“We were still stressing after Game 4,” Damon admitted.

The Celtics didn’t have to go through the drama in Game 5 that the Red Sox endured, controlling the game from the jump and beating the Heat, 110-97. The Celtics had never been so happy to get on an airplane back to Miami. Just like the Red Sox felt about returning to New York 19 years ago.

Game 6: White-knuckle wins
There was no instant replay in baseball in 2004, but the Red Sox were fortunate that the umpire crew huddled to overturn two crucial calls that went in their favor to make a 4-2 win possible. The first was a drive by Mark Bellhorn down the line in left that hit a fan in the left-field seats who was wearing a black coat. Originally, it was called a double. But after the umpires huddled to discuss it, it went as a three-run homer — the key hit in the victory.

The real madness took place in the eighth, when Alex Rodriguez hit a tapper down the first-base line that Bronson Arroyo fielded. When he tried to tag out A-Rod, the ball wound up down the right-field line. Initially, Derek Jeter scored all the way from first, and A-Rod stood on second. But it was obvious to all those who saw the play up close that Rodriguez illegally slapped the ball with his left hand out of Arroyo’s glove. After a conference, A-Rod was called out for interference. Jeter was moved all the way back to first.

And here were the Celtics in the waning moments of Game 6. Down by a point as they inbounded the ball with three seconds left, Smart hoisted up a three-pointer that went in and out. In a heads-up move, White crashed the boards and the tap-in was released from his right hand with 0.2 seconds left. In real time, nobody had any idea if he got the shot off in time. After an instant replay review, White was awarded the buzzer-beater and the Celtics were set for another happy flight back to Boston.

Game 7: Finishing the job(?)
If the Celtics take the floor as confidently as Damon remembers the Red Sox taking the field for their Game 7 19 years ago, they should be in good shape. And unlike the Sox, who played that game at Yankee Stadium, the Celtics will be at home with the crowd on their side.

Damon, who slumped throughout the entire ALCS, picked a fine time to break out, bashing two homers — including a grand slam — as the Sox scorched the Yankees, 10-3, to pull off history.

“Game 7, fortunately, I came to life. It was a rough series, but things happen for a reason and we kept on cruising,” said Damon. “There’s still a Game 7, but the Celtics seem to be in a good spot.”

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Boston, MA

O’shae Brissett, part of Boston Celtics championship, reportedly signs with Long Island Nets

Published

3 hours ago

January 17, 2025

Press Room

O’shae Brissett, part of Boston Celtics championship, reportedly signs with Long Island Nets

O’shae Brissett, who won a championship with the Boston Celtics in June but hasn’t played professionally since, has reportedly signed an NBA G-League level contract with the Brooklyn Nets G League team, the Long Island Nets.

Bobby Manning was first with the news Friday morning…

Sources tell me Oshae Brissett signed a G-League contract with the Long Island Nets
— Bobby Manning (@RealBobManning) January 17, 2025

The 6’7” 26-year-old Brissett, a defensive specialist, will join Long Island having last played for the Boston Celtics as a part of the NBA Championship squad last year.

In his defining moment of the title run, Brissett was inserted as a small ball center by Boston coach Joe Mazzulla in Game 2 of the Celtics-Pacers conference title series. It was his first playoff minutes, but he played a critical role defensively, picking up three steals and finishing a +15 in his 12 minutes on the court.

“Just his presence, his energy, his athleticism,” Mazzulla said after that game. “Just gave us, I think he had a dunk, got a steal, got us out in transition with a couple [of] rebounds. So just, he plays with such a high level of intensity and energy. It’s big for us.”

In his 55 games with the Celtics in the 2023-24 season, Brissett started just one and played roughly 11.5 minutes per game. He averaged 3.7 points per game, 2.9 rebounds, and 0.8 assists. He shot 44.4% from the field, 27.3% from beyond the arc. He adds yet another NBA veteran presence to the young Long Island Nets team with .

Brissett played three years with the Indiana Pacers, his best year coming in 2021-22 when he played 67 games, 25 starts, averaging 9.1 points and 5.3 rebounds.

However, he hasn’t played since the NBA Finals. Brissett, who turned 26 years old in June, declined a $2.5 million dollar player option with Boston at the end of June. He hoped that he could get more by testing the free-agent market. Similarly, the Toronto native dropped out of the Canadian national team, coached by Jordi Fernandez, to focus his free agency. However, offers or at least offers he liked never materialized and he remained a free agent until Friday.

Brissett’s rebounding and size will give Long Island some added depth, and in Long Island’s case, a potential starter. Brissett always intended to pursue a return to the NBA, and his signing with the Long Island Nets is a first step to getting back to that dream.

Brissett also re-unites with Kendall Brown who had been his Indiana Pacers teammate two years ago.

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Boston, MA

Magic Look to Bounce Back With More Energy at Celtics

Published

11 hours ago

January 17, 2025

Press Room

Magic Look to Bounce Back With More Energy at Celtics

BOSTON – Over two weeks ago, after the Orlando Magic’s latest rally fell short in a loss to the Detroit Pistons, fourth-year guard Jalen Suggs called out a worrying trend among his team in hopes of nipping it in the bud.

“We’re putting ourselves in these holes and spotting teams leads, then having to fight, scratch, claw just to get back in the game and give ourselves a chance,” Suggs said on New Year’s Day.

The Magic had developed a resilience that meant they were never out of games, no matter the score. Complimentary, energy-filled basketball helped Orlando do the fighting, scratching and clawing to get back into those games.

Did it always result in a victory? Not quite. But the relentless attitude and constant effort – especially for a team so handicapped by its shrinking list of healthy players – was commendable, and has been embedded in the Magic’s DNA.

In the rare occasions when it doesn’t show face, though, Magic coach Jamahl Mosley says it’s “glaring.” That was the case when the Milwaukee Bucks delivered a 29-point shellacking to Orlando, marking the most lopsided loss for the Magic this year.

“There was an energy and effort issue,” said Mosley postgame.

Wendell Carter Jr. would later say his team was “out-physicaled” and made life too easy for their opponent.

Then, in the locker room, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope told reporters Orlando got its “a– whooped,” and Paolo Banchero told reporters, “[A]s a group top to bottom, we’ve got to be more ready to play. We’re down a lot of bodies, but we can’t make excuses and we’ve just got to come out and play for each other.”

To Banchero’s point, the Magic’s 124 missed games from players due to injury or illness haven’t been a catch-all, safety-net excuse when the team is struggling. Instead, their aforementioned resilience built an identity that helped them generate results throughout the entire first half of the season, regardless of available contributors.

It justifies Mosley’s claims that the lackluster performance vs. the Bucks “wasn’t Orlando Magic basketball. Not even close.” Because although that was the case in Game 42, through the first 41 games, it wasn’t.

“It’s something that you can learn from, and you have to be able to bounce back, which this group has always done,” Mosley said.

With a national audience watching along, Orlando (0-4 in national TV games this season) pays its only visit to TD Garden Friday evening, squaring off with the defending champion Boston Celtics for the second of three matchups this season. The Magic host the 18-time champs once more in April to close the Kia Center’s regular season slate.

Boston has dropped three of their last five outings, including an uncharacteristic loss to the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night in Scotiabank Arena. The Celtics were without Jayson Tatum due to a last-minute spat with an illness in the Magic’s Dec. 23 home win, but Orlando was shorthanded as well. Of their top four scorers, only Suggs was available.

“We beat them last time at home, so I’m sure they haven’t forgot that,” Paolo Banchero said in Orlando’s locker room Wednesday. “They have a hell of a home atmosphere [and] home crowd, so they’ll be ready to play in front of their fans.”

Heading into Friday’s tilt, where both teams are eager to wipe the slate clean from their mid-week malaise, Boston reports a clean bill of health. Now, only Banchero is available of the Magic’s top scorers, and other key reserves are unavailable as well.

MORE: Magic-Celtics Injury Report

Those who are available, however, say they shouldn’t have any issue getting back to their standard.

“Playing against teams like this is what hoopers get up for,” Anthony Black said. “Definitely getting up for this game. It’s always fun playing against some good hoopers, so I think we’re up and I think we’ll be ready to bring energy come game time.”

“You don’t like losing games, especially when you get your butt kicked,” Mosley said, “but you also have to know you have to bounce back, can’t hang your head, be ready to go and move on the next game.”

Follow ‘Orlando Magic on SI‘ on Facebook and like our page. Follow Magic beat reporter Mason Williams on Twitter/X @mvsonwilliams. Also, bookmark our homepage so you never miss a story.

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Boston, MA

How to Watch Orlando Magic at Boston Celtics on Friday, January 17

Published

18 hours ago

January 17, 2025

Press Room

How to Watch Orlando Magic at Boston Celtics on Friday, January 17

BOSTON – The Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics do battle for the second time this season Friday evening. Tipoff between the two Eastern Conference foes is at 7 p.m. ET from TD Garden.

Each team will be looking to bounce back after uncharacteristic losses. But, one team will be much healthier when attempting to do so.

On the front end of this chilly Northern road trip, the Magic handled by the Milwaukee Bucks by 29 points Wednesday night in Milwaukee. They’ll be without three of their top four scorers and five total rotational players in looking to wash the taste of that contest away.

Boston went north of the border to Toronto and dropped their Wednesday outing by 13 points. The Celtics report no injuries ahead of Friday’s bout.

Regarding this season’s series, Orlando (23-19) took the first matchup over Boston (28-12). Friday’s nationally televised matchup is the second of three this year between the two teams.

Who: Orlando Magic (23-19, 5th in East) at Boston Celtics (28-12, 2nd in East)
What: NBA Regular Season Game
When: Friday, January 17, 7 p.m. ET
Where: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
TV: ESPN, FanDuel Sports Network Florida, NBCS Boston
Radio: 96.9 The Game, Orlando Magic Audio Network, SiriusXM
Point Spread: Milwaukee -6
Last Meeting: Orlando 108, Boston 104 on 12/23/24

Orlando Magic

Boston Celtics

Jamahl Mosley, Orlando Magic: Mosley tipped off his fourth NBA season as a head coach this season, all of which having come with the Magic. He’s 126-162 in the regular season all-time. Before Mosley was named the head coach of the Magic, he was an assistant with Dallas, Cleveland, and Denver. He’s a Colorado alum, and played four years of professional basketball in Mexico, Australia, Finland and South Korea.

Joe Mazzulla, Boston Celtics: Mazzulla, 36 years old, mans the sidelines for his third season as the Celtics’ coach this year. In each of his first two seasons, Boston finished atop the Eastern Conference. They hoisted the Larry O’Brien trophy a historic 18th time this past June after his team cruised through the playoffs in just 19 games (16-3). Prior to taking over as head coach, the former West Virginia Mountaineer was an assistant on the Celtics bench for three seasons. He’s regarded as one of the brightest, young polarizing minds in the game. today

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