What a difference a couple of days can make!
The Boston Celtics kept their season alive after an impressive 116-99 Game 4 win over Miami Heat Tuesday night as the series now shifts back to Boston for a pivotal Game 5.
After slamming the Celtics for their 'humiliating' performance in Game 3, Charles Barkley made a bold prediction after Game 4 on TNT's "Inside the NBA."
MORE: Celtics deliver after Brown & Smart's pregame warning - 'Don't let us get one'
"I think Game 5 is going to be a cakewalk for the Celtics," Barkley said. "I think they are going to have so much energy.
"Now they are going to go back home and they are gonna be loud and incredible. I think they are gonna kill Miami next game. Game 6 in Miami's going to be Game 7 for Miami.
“...Now the fun starts, now the fun starts.”
"I think Game 5 is going to be a cakewalk for the Celtics. I think they are going to have so much energy. Now they are going back home and they are gonna be loud and incredible. I think they are gonna kill Miami next game."
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 24, 2023
"Game 6 in Miami's going to be Game 7 for Miami." pic.twitter.com/cYSUKgA5ku
While Barkley's on-air 'guarantees' haven't exactly been reliable, the Celtics showed plenty of fight in Game 4, defending at a high level and delivering an efficient night on the offensive end as they shot 51.2 percent from the field and 40 percent from the 3-point line in the win.
MORE: How many teams have come back from a 3-0 deficit to force a Game 7?
The Celtics still have plenty of work to do and history isn't on their side. No team has ever come back to overturn a 3-0 series deficit. Only three teams in NBA history have ever forced a Game 7, with each of them losing the deciding game.
A look at @NBAonTNT’s Charles Barkley the last time he got a prediction right. pic.twitter.com/iYSiVq4tWF
— Steve Greenberg (@SLGreenberg) May 24, 2023
Barkley roasts Tatum's pregame outfit
Prior to Game 4, Barkley was nearly ready to send the Celtics home...or on vacation at least, as Jayson Tatum arrived at the Kaseya Center.
MORE: Celtics fans troll Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez for attending Heat game
As the Celtics star walked to the arena rocking a Nahmia-branded shirt, Barkley misread the brand for a popular holiday destination for players: "Does that say Bahamas?”
"DOES THAT SAY BAHAMAS?!"
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 23, 2023
Chuck's reaction to Tatum's pregame fit 🤣 pic.twitter.com/B11FPNuBYI
Never change Chuck.
