Kendrick Perkins is less than pleased with the effort put forth by the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
As a result of Monday night's 113-101 loss, the Celtics find themselves trailing in their series against the Milwaukee Bucks, 3-1. For Perkins, it's about Boston's effort and “togetherness.” And furthermore, he sees a selfish team. The former Celtics center also hasn't been impressed by Kyrie Irving:
Listen if y’all think that me and my boy @paulpierce34 was going to go against the grain in this series y’all crazy! Win, lose or draw I was riding with the Bean! Just realized that Kyrie not a Batman! Hell @isaiahthomas took the Cs to the ECF! Hell they got there last year! 🤷🏾♂️
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) May 7, 2019
Zero togetherness is what I’m getting from watching the Celtics and Coaches tonight! Showed no heart and played Selfish basketball tonight! The Greek and Bucks imposed their will in every way possible. Very disappointed.
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) May 7, 2019
The Celtics struggled from the field in Game 4, going just 34-of-90 overall and 9-of-41 from beyond the arc. Kyrie Irving led the scoring charge for Boston, notching 23 points, 10 assists and six rebounds. However, Uncle Drew posted a 7-of-22 shooting performance overall and 1-of-7 from downtown:
“Who cares? I'm a basketball player,” said Irving, who can become a free agent this summer. “I'm trying to do it all. For me, the 22 shots — I should have shot 30.”
Simply put, the Celtics struggled to contain Giannis Antetokounmpo, who racked up 39 points and 16 rebounds in 39 minutes of action:
“At the end of the day, I've got to do whatever it takes to help my team win,” Antetokounmpo told ESPN after Game 4.
Now that they've fallen behind 3-1 in their second-round series, many experts and analysts are ready to write the Celtics off. Boston center Al Horford, however, is still confident in his team:
“I know probably to the outside world we probably don't stand much of a chance,” Horford said after Monday's loss. “We're at a low point as a group, I guess that's the reality. We'll have to bring that fight to them on Wednesday.”
The Celtics and Bucks will meet for Game 5 on Wednesday night. Tip-off inside the Fiserv Forum is set for 8:00 p.m. ET, with TNT having live broadcast coverage.