The One That Got Away

Well, that was shocking. And no, Im not talking about Adrian Gonzalezs home run.

Im talking about an 18-point third quarter advantage. A potential 3-1 series lead.

And what did the Celtics do with it? They tripped over their shoelaces and tumbled down two flights of stairs. Of course, they survived, theyll live to see another day, but not without acquiring a few new mental and physical bruises. Not without injecting life into a team that was so close to death that theyd actually initiated the release of numerous bodily functions over the Wells Fargo floor. Not without adding to their collection of supremely frustrating 2012 playoff losses.

Final Score: Sixers 92, Celtics 83

In a way, its so easy to lose perspective. When the Celtics landed in Philly on Wednesday, all we really hoped for was a split. A 3-1 advantage would have been niceobviously idealbut we knew it wouldnt be that easy. In reality, all we wanted was one. For the Celtics to stay alive. To steal back home court advantage andor prove that if there comes a time (aka Game 6) when they HAVE to win a game in Philly, that theyd be able to draw from past experience and have the confidence and evidence to take care of business. And regardless of how awfully Game 4 may have played out, the Celtics did achieve that initial and ultimately important goal.

They took back home court. They put themselves in a great position to win this series. And right now, gun to your head, even in the aftermath of Friday nights disaster, youd still bet on them to emerge. But thanks to last night, well take that confidence with a solid helping of regret. With the knowledge that even though a 3-1 series lead was never entirely likely, it was right there. It was real. The Celtics had the chance to put the Sixers away. They HAD them put away. Not just the game, but the series. It was over.

Now thats irrelevant. Now theyre back to square one. Or square two. Or whatever, theyre tied. The Celtics need to win two before they lose two. And if they fail, well always remember the one that got away.