When it comes to Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, there’s no question about his support for the Boston Celtics.
While the outspoken Celtics fan is typically one with tons of confidence in his Boston-based sports teams, Portnoy is admittedly nervous going into Game 7 between the Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers.
“I’m very nervous,” Portnoy told Yahoo Sports on Saturday.
“Like, I hate Philadelphia, and I hate the Sixers. So, I really want to win this game, but the Celtics don’t look like a title contender. So, I’m very nervous.”
The Sixers Are Making It Difficult
Not many media folks, Portnoy included, believed that the 76ers had a shot.
After a Game 1 blowout, the 76ers made the series slightly more interesting when they stole Game 2 on the road. A tight Game 3 battle proved that the Sixers had a shot, but probably a slim one.
When Joel Embiid returned from his multi-week absence after getting surgery, he hardly gave the 76ers a boost at first. In Game 4, the Sixers suffered another blowout to go down 1-3.
“We want Boston, these scumbags in Philadelphia. I guess you’ve got to chant it. You’ve got to give it a chant. Just worry about the Flyers. You got Gritty out there throwing a penguin, he’s got a fork and a knife cooking up a penguin, but the Sixers are done!” Portnoy said on Wake Up Barstool on April 27.
What once looked like a gentleman’s sweep is turning into a possible upset put together by the 76ers. Two wins in a row for the 76ers forced Game 7.
On Sunday, the Celtics are facing a possible Jayson Tatum absence. The star forward was downgraded to questionable on Saturday afternoon. Even with Tatum, the Celtics have struggled to shoot with their normal efficiency, and haven’t had answers for the 76ers’ offensive attack.
Game 7 in Boston is set to tip off at 7:30 PM ET.