How Scalpers Potentially Cost the Celtics a Game 7 Win
Listen, I'm all for you making your money. You do you. But this is ridiculous, right?
In what was supposed to be a thrilling showdown between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat, basketball fans were treated to a one-sided Game 7 smackdown in the Eastern Conference Finals. We knew going into the game that TD Garden was supposed to be LOUD. Like, really loud. Getting the Garden filled with 20-thousand of the loudest, and rowdiest Boston sports fans was the goal. Have you ever seen Fever Pitch? We wanted to fill the stands with the Celtics' equivalent of Jimmy Fallon’s character.
Now, I would consider myself a Celtics fanatic. How they perform directly affects my mood, and I recognize that’s a problem, but I just can’t help it. While there are several logistical reasons as to why I couldn’t be at the Garden for Monday night’s game, the biggest factor was the unbelievable resale ticket prices.
For those who chose to forego the jaw-dropping prices and opted for the comfort of their own living rooms, a mix of disappointment and relief may linger. While the outcome was not what Celtics fans had hoped for, they can find solace in knowing that they were spared from spending a small fortune to witness the defeat in person. Sometimes, the best seat in the house is right at home, allowing fans to relax and enjoy the game without breaking the bank.
While making a profit is understandable, the outlandish prices set by scalpers can be seen as excessive and unfair, diminishing the accessibility and passion within the arena.
In 2018, I splurged on TD Garden floor seats only to watch the Celtics get blown out by 30. The starters didn’t play in the fourth quarter.
But hey, that’s the gamble. You have to carefully weigh risk and reward.
Furthermore, I don’t think it’s unfair to suggest that the absurdly high resale prices for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals had an impact on the crowd composition. It's likely that many of the most loyal and rowdy Celtics fans, who always bring an incredible energy to the Garden, found themselves priced out of attending the game. These passionate fans often ignite the atmosphere and create an electric vibe that gets everyone hyped up. There were several times that Celtics players were looking for the crowd to get back into the action, but there wasn’t much to grab them.
Although, right from the start, the Celtics faced an uphill battle as their star player, Jayson Tatum, suffered an early ankle injury that hampered his performance throughout the game. His usual defensive prowess was also absent, leaving fans longing for the All-Defense caliber play they had grown accustomed to seeing.
With Tatum's struggles, the Celtics desperately needed a standout performance from Jaylen Brown. However, it was not meant to be, as Brown fell way short of expectations.
In contrast, the Miami Heat showcased their resilience and depth once again. Jimmy Butler and Caleb Martin shouldered the offensive load for their team, guiding them to victory. Butler led all scorers with 28 points, demonstrating his ability to rise to the occasion when it mattered most. Jimmy Butler's exceptional performance earned him the Eastern Conference Finals MVP trophy, further validating his impact on the game and the team's success in this historic playoff run.
Now, is it fair to 100% put it on the scalpers? No, absolutely not. Maybe the Garden would have been rocking more if the Celtics came to play, instead of taking Memorial Day off.