Getty Image / Adam Glanzman
After the Boston Celtics defeated the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, most thought they would cruise through the series against the eighth-seeded Miami Heat. But, that hasn’t been the case, and the Celtics are now down 2–0, thanks in part to Grant Williams
So favored were the Boston Celtics that ESPN gave them a 97% chance to win the series using their analytics.
Y’all remember that ESPN analytics gave the Celtics a 97% chance to win this series… A 97% chance…
— Onthehop08 (@Onthehop2) May 20, 2023
But, after a game 1 in which the Miami Heat shot the lights out, the Celtics faced a must-win game at home in game 2. And, for awhile, it looked like they would even up the series, and held a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter.
For some reason, Celtics reserve guard Grant Williams decided to antagonize the biggest dog in the league, Jimmy Butler.
Jimmy Butler and Grant Williams. 🍿🍿
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 20, 2023
What are you doing, Grant Williams?
Naturally, the Heat went on a 24-9 run to take control of the game immediately after that. And, Butler was hitting big shot after big shot.
Jimmy's ECF Game 2 🔥
27 PTS, 8 REB, 6 AST, 3 STL, 2 BLK
More Game 2 content in the NBA App ⤵
📲 https://t.co/F7Q7eRzfvw pic.twitter.com/UkSxCVD3rR— NBA (@NBA) May 20, 2023
And, everyone is bashing Grant Williams for the Celtics loss.
Emergency Press Conference – I Blame Grant Williams 1 zillion Percent For that Loss pic.twitter.com/fi81V87wjB
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) May 20, 2023
Grant Williams getting back to the locker room pic.twitter.com/sHqhdrItAt
— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) May 20, 2023
Do you think Grant Williams saw what Dillon Brooks did in the first round and said “I want that for me”. Because that’s what happened tonight
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) May 20, 2023
GRANT WILLIAMS IS A LOSER pic.twitter.com/afELFd1FwS
— Stuart Feiner (@StuartFeiner) May 20, 2023
Grant Williams and Dillon Brooks when it comes to running their mouth and losing pic.twitter.com/V8NSHOGSBg
— trace (@tracedontmiss) May 20, 2023
The Celtics and Grant Williams will try to save their season and avoid going down 3-0 in Miami on Sunday.