Celtics fans started leaving a sold-out watch party at the TD Garden early in the fourth quarter, as tempers flared and fights broke out.
It all happened as the Mavericks were increasing their lead to 40-plus. Police officers and Garden security separated at least four fans who got into a fight, escorting one out of the arena.
The Mavericks’ blowout victory – 122-84 – isn’t deterring fans from losing confidence that Banner 18 could soon be a reality.
“The fear is from comparing this team to last year’s team and previous years,” city resident Charles Boateng told the Herald, watching a TV inside the concourse during the third quarter. “They’ve shown us that they’re a good, solid team. I think they will be fine. We have to win at home. If it goes to 6, it feels weird.”
Boateng was referring to how Boston dropped Game 7 in the Eastern Conference Finals last year against Miami after they clawed back from a 3-0 series deficit and how the Celtics fell to Golden State in the Finals in 2022.
Boateng pinpointed Friday night’s loss to Dallas’ glaring rebound advantage and stifling defense. The Mavericks held the Celtics to 35 points in the first half, their lowest point total in any half this season.
Boston benched center Kristaps Porzingis for the second straight game after he tore his medial retinaculum in Game 2. Boateng said he doesn’t believe a Porzingis return for Game 5 would make a difference.
“He’s toast. I don’t think he’s healthy enough to contribute,” Boateng said, adding he’s “cautiously optimistic” for Monday night’s Game 5.
The outburst marked quite a contrast from the electric vibes felt pre-game. Fans gathered outside the Garden hours before the arena opened for its Game 4 watch party, anxiously waiting to get inside — knowing what the night ahead could bring.
Loud cheers roared when the jumbotron showed Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis arriving at the American Airlines Arena, about 1,700 miles away. Boos wrung out for former Celtic Kyrie Irving, the same treatment the now Maverick has received throughout the series.
Ahead of Game 3, Garden officials removed floor seating and placed a large stage in the corner for Celtics dancers and Lucky the Leprechaun. The Game 4 watch party featured a different layout, with a majority of floor seating back.
As tip-off approached Friday night, fans were noticeably louder than Wednesday. But the rowdy crowd quickly fell silent with the Celtics falling into an early hole.
A three-pointer from Derrick White pumped fans up momentarily before back-to-back threes from Tim Hardaway and PJ Washington pushed the Dallas lead to 13 at the end of the first quarter.
The crowd remained silent in the second quarter as the Mavericks doubled their lead to 26 at halftime.
“Dallas is doing everything they can to stay in this series,” Weymouth resident Andy McCabe told the Herald. “Kyrie (Irving) and Luka (Doncic) are doing what they normally do, but when you notice the role players, the other guys, they’re stepping up.”
“I am confident in the Celtics to close it,” he added of the Finals coming back to Boston. “They’re just the better team all around. Aside from their starting five, they have a stronger bench, a stronger overall team.”
About 1,200 fans who didn’t get tickets to the Garden watch party flocked through the doors of Big Night Live, right outside the arena, for festivities there.
Celtics superfan Brian Babz and his friend KJ Green, who flew to Dallas Friday morning to take in Game 4 live, have organized watch parties at Big Night Live since the 2022 playoff run. Friday night’s party drew the largest crowd to date, Babz said.
“I don’t sweat it,” Babz said of the Game 4 loss. “I don’t sweat it because guess what? We’re here on Monday night on 617 Day. In Boston, we’re not losing on Monday.”
