FollowingGame 4 of the NBA Finals, Charles Barkleydropped a bombshell prediction that’s got everyone talking. The outspoken NBA analyst boldly declared that the Dallas Mavericks will clinch the NBA Finals in Game 7, leaving fans and pundits alike scratching their heads.
The Boston Celtics found themselves utterly humiliated in Texas, suffering a crushing 122-84 defeat at the hands of the Mavericks. From the get-go, Boston was outmatched, falling behind by double figures in the first quarter and watching helplessly as Dallas extended their lead to an eye-popping 50 points in the second half. By midway through the fourth, the Mavs were comfortably ahead at 115-67.
“That was embarrassing by the Celtics. They actually thought the Mavs were going to quit. They came out nonchalant, lackadaisical. … that was so unprofessional, the way they played that game tonight,” Barkley blasted post-game, clearly unimpressed by Boston’s performance.
Barkley thinks Mavs still have a chance, but Celtics are most likely to win Finals
Despite the Celtics’ disastrous showing, Barkley recognized that they will probably win the series. Even so, he added that Dallas still had a chance to take the series. No team has ever climbed out of a 3-0 hole in a best-of-seven series, but the it was the Celtics who came dangerously close last year, pushing the Miami Heat to a Game 7 in the Eastern Conference Finals before faltering. Maybe the Mavs manage to pull off that miracle.
Friday night’s debacle saw the Celtics shoot a dismal 36.3% from the field, with no player managing to score more than 15 points. It’s a stark contrast to the high expectations set by their rabid fanbase and a serious gut-check moment for a team that looked poised for greatness.
For Mavericks fans grasping for hope, the silver lining lies in the chance to secure another win on the toher team’s home turf. But as Barkley pointed out, the Celtics aren’t about to roll over and hand Dallas the title. The stage is set for a fierce battle, and if Barkley’s wild prediction holds any weight, we might be in for an unforgettable Game 7 showdown.
