Inside The Celtics

Looking to do the Impossible, Celtics Channel Kevin Millar: 'Don't Let Us Get One'

The Celtics are trying to become the first team in NBA history to dig out of a 3-0 hole.

Bobby Krivitsky

David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
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No team has ever erased a 3-0 deficit in NBA playoff history. But while records are for breaking, streaks are meant to snap.

A 16 seed had never beaten a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament until the University of Maryland-Baltimore County Retrievers shocked the Virginia Cavaliers in 2018.

No team in MLB history had dug out of a 3-0 hole until the 2004 Red Sox did so against the Yankees en route to their first World Series title in 86 years.

So why can't the Celtics, down 3-0 to the Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, do the same? Doesn't it have to happen at some point in the NBA?

While they have their issues, as Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon addressed on Monday, but led by two All-NBA wings in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, Boston also has the talent to accomplish the unprecedented.

At Tuesday morning's shootaround, starting point guard Marcus Smart expressed, "At this point, we have nothing to lose. (We've) just got to go out there and leave it all on the floor," then channeled Kevin Millar, declaring, "Don't let us get one."

Brown echoed that sentiment, voicing, "Don't let us win tonight; that's our mindset. Let us get one, (then) we feel confident. So, we're gonna come out play free, play ready, and it should be fun.

"Backs on the wall, win or go home, win or the season's over type of game tonight. So, (we) definitely gotta leave it all out there, definitely gotta come with that fighting mentality, and definitely can't have any regrets on the court. It's not over 'til it's over."

When asked why he still believes in the Celtics, Grant Williams replied, "The people on it. I believe in every single one of my brothers I'm going to fight with and battle with, and I'm excited because this will determine how we're viewed for the rest of our lives."

The former Tennessee Volunteer also conveyed the defending Eastern Conference champions need to bring a dog mentality to Game 4, and they can't let "a bad week define their entire season."

Further Reading

Malcolm Brogdon Gives Brutally Honest Assessment of Celtics

Trading Jaylen Brown is a Gamble the Celtics are Better Off Not Making

Joe Mazzulla Takes Blame for Celtics' Getting Blown Out in Game 3 of Eastern Conference Finals: 'I Have to be Better'

Here's What Stood Out in Game 3 Loss to Heat: Celtics on Brink of Elimination After Worst Performance This Postseason

Celtics React to Letting 12-Point Lead Slip in Fourth Quarter of Game 2 Loss to Heat: 'We Let Everybody Down'

Grant Williams Reacts to Heated Altercation with Jimmy Butler

Here's What Stood Out in Game 2 Loss: Celtics Blow 12-Point Fourth-Quarter Lead, Go to Miami Down 0-2

Celtics Discuss Heat Outscoring Them 46-25 in Third Quarter of Game 1: 'We Allowed Them to Do What They Wanted'

Celtics Address 'Letting Go of the Rope' After Game 1 Loss to Heat

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Game 1 Loss: Heat's Third-Quarter Haymaker Propels Them to 1-0 Lead

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Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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