The Boston Celtics’ inconsistency will cost them the NBA Finals

Face it, Game 4 was a prime opportunity for the Boston Celtics. If they had won and went up 3-1, then there would be some confidence heading into Game 5, or even Game 6.

Yet, they didn’t, and are about to pay for it with the rest of this series. It’s not that they lost, it’s how they lost, and it’s been the same reason over and over again throughout this postseason.

For as good and talented as this young core has been, they often show themselves to be inconsistent and find themselves in the worst possible position. But it’s not just this season alone.

Regardless of who is coaching, Brad Stevens or Ime Udoka, you can choose your side. Both can coach, and both are tremendous, but when it counts, and it comes to avoiding sloppiness, questions arise.

The Boston Celtics’ inconsistency will cost them the NBA Finals

The reality is, inconsistency has haunted this team ever since the LeBron James Game 6 MasterClass in 2012. After the great run in 2008, the Celtics have been playoff contenders year in and year out, but they can’t close the deal. It sounds like the Boston Red Sox for all those 86 years, doesn’t it?

This is not a knee-jerk reaction to Friday’s Game 4 loss. This is a fact. This team just can’t put together consistent performances. Now, despite the series being tied at two, there is a reason to be worried. Two of the next three potential games are on the West Coast.

Also, can anyone deal with Stephen Curry on this team? Absolutely not. He’s just better than what this team has, with or without his West Coast castmates. Yes, Curry is a Hall of Famer, and yes, he has been unbelievable thus far in the postseason.

Also, the Curry slander needs to stop. It’s only feeding into him and giving more and more grief to the Celtics. Yes, the Warriors were favored to win going in, but now, the Celtics have to hear endless praise for Golden State because the Celtics just can’t crack the code.

If this team is to win it all, they must at least try. Limiting Draymond Green is ok, but Steph needs more attention, as does Klay Thompson. As of right now, the optics are very bleak.

How about we get into hypotheticals, shall we? Let’s just say Boston wins Game 5 on Monday. Can we trust them to come out on top and hoist Larry for the 18th time in Game 6? Nope. Game 6 Klay will arrive, and Master Chef Steph too. Game 7 will then be gifted to Golden State, and with it, another Celtics postseason failure, but waiting longer for the eventual result.

Ok, so what if Boston loses Game 5 and then wins Game 6? Game 7 is still in San Francisco, and frankly, Steph at home against anyone other than LeBron or Kawhi is what you want. Also, if Golden State wins Game 5, it snaps Boston’s streak of no back-to-back losses in the postseason.

Given the inconsistency, there is a good chance that Game 6 is the close-out game, and Larry is awarded to the West Coast folks. Again, another wasted opportunity.

Game 4 was an absolute disgrace down the stretch. Jayson Tatum’s lack of efficiency, despite the box score being filled up, was rough. Missed opportunity after missed opportunity. Sure, it’s easy to look at Games 1 and 3 and praise the team, but Games 2 and 4 tell the whole story. This team is talented, but not consistent.

No one is asking for pure perfection, but could you play with a bit more inspiration and consistency instead of dragging out the drama? It would be nice for the Boston Celtics to play as well as they do after a loss after a win.

Game 5 will be the tell-all. If Golden State wins, the series will likely end in six. If Boston wins, it will probably go to seven, and Golden State wins again. Can Boston win at all? It’s not impossible, but it’s not looking very likely at the moment. Being wrong would be nice. However, that’s probably not happening.