Locked On Celtics - Daily Podcast On The Boston Celtics Locked On Podcast Network

Did the Celtics want Game 4 TOO much? Jayson Tatum explains why their performance in Game 4 might have been more pressing than letting up. Plus, Joe Mazzulla comes the closest he'll come to criticizing his team publicly by laying out the most important things for Game 5, regardless of the question he's asked. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal has all that and some easy adjustments to finish this series off in five.

The Celtics got their doors blown off in Game 4 in one of the worst losses in NBA history. The Mavs played harder and executed better. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal says the Celtics had their opportunities to stop the game from getting out of control, but they just couldn't make the right decisions at the right times to stop Dallas. In the end, it's not that big of a deal, and they have a chance to win a championship at home.

The Boston Celtics are one win away from winning it all, and there are a few narratives that need to change. After taking some time to join Brian Windhorst in yelling at Luka Doncic, John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal and Tom Westerholm discuss the shifting takes on Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Joe Mazzulla's coaching.

The Celtics took a big hit from the Dallas Mavericks in the first quarter, kept their wits about them, and hung around long enough for Jaylen Brown to get going in the third quarter and help build a lead big enough to hold on for the win. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal is in Dallas where Boston held on after losing most of their 21 point lead, but not all of it. They are now one win away from their 18th banner.

Kristaps Porzingis suffered a rare foot injury that's been described as a "reverse Curt Schilling," and he's questionable for Game 3 of the NBA Finals. It's possible he can play, but it's possible he'll miss time, even the rest of the Finals. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal and Tom Westerholm break down the injury and what Boston's options are if Porzingis misses time. Will it be Luke Kornet? Will Oshae Brissett or Xavier Tillman get a shot? Or will Jayson Tatum have to play the five?

We're looking for ways the Mavs can actually slow down the Celtics, and neither of the options -- a zone or just giving up mismatches and daring Jayson Tatum to beat them -- seem like they're going to work for Dallas. So is there a way for them to stop the Celtics attack? John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal and Tom Westerholm discuss that, get into Jayson Tatum's actual brilliance in this series (don't be fooled by poor shooting), and why Joe Mazzulla is doing a great coaching job. Also, why the timing was just right for all of this to come together.