Despite Bucks disaster, Charles Barkley is right to be confident in Boston Celtics

While the Milwaukee Bucks handled their business against the Boston Celtics, Charles Barkley is right to believe in Beantown and the team they have
Jan 11, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard AJ Green (20) looks to pass against
Jan 11, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard AJ Green (20) looks to pass against / Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
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It's easy for Shaq and the Milwaukee Bucks to laugh at Charles Barkley and the Boston Celtics right now, but the playoffs matter more than the regular season.

Milwaukee's 135–102 win prompted social media to troll Barkley, with Shaq leading the way on Inside the NBA. Typical behavior from O'Neal, if we are really being honest. Dish it, but I can't take it. Having said that, the Chuckster need not be worried.

The 135 points surrendered were the most allowed all year, hence an anomaly. The 33-point margin of defeat was also their biggest loss of the season. However, Boston is still three games ahead of Milwaukee for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics have a 29-8 record in their first 37 games, which is not bad.

Keep in mind that Boston was coming off a battle against the Timberwolves, the number one team in the West, and the Celtics have been excellent defensively this season. Adding Jrue Holiday combined with role players like Derrick White, who are playing at an All-Star level, one bad night in the regular season may be enough to spark a troll job from folks like Shaq, but not so much in the long run.

The Celtics had a bad night against the Milwaukee Bucks, but Barkley was right to believe in this team

This is not to take away anything from what Milwaukee was able to do. Adding Damian Lillard has given Giannis Antetokounmpo new life while also bolstering Milwaukee's offense. However, giving up 102 points isn't exactly something to celebrate.

Also, Boston is 8-2 over their last ten games, including their win over Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards, and their fellow pals 127-120. Additionally, at home, Boston is 18-0, with an 11-8 record in the 19 games away from Beantown.

Additionally, if memory serves, Boston has shown that they can bounce back from any sort of adversity. Last year, down 3-0 to Miami (the same team that eliminated Milwaukee), they battled back to force Game 7 before an injury to Jayson Tatum kept them from possibly accomplishing what their town's Red Sox once did back in 2004.

So forgive the Celtics, if you will for having such a stinker of a performance on one bad night. Sure, it made the NBA on TNT crew laugh at Charles Barkley, but last we heard, the Chuckster rode the Denver Nuggets to the NBA title last year despite Shaq and Kenny Smith laughing at him. This includes their childish behavior towards Chuck with the Diet Coke resolution earlier this year.

Boston has a date with Houston next and, more than likely, will win that game. If they lose, maybe there should be a reason to be apprehensive. If not, the train is right back on schedule for the Chuckster and the Eastern Conference favorites.

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