The ghost of Red Auerbach lives

The old Boston Garden was torn down 22 years ago. Red Auerbach sadly passed away 11 years ago. As someone born in 1998 I don’t remember either, but as someone immersed in Celtics fans of all ages, including at this site, you bet I hear all the stories of the glory days.

Crazy things used to happen at the old Garden all the time. Fog used to rise from the ice, visiting basketball players had to be aware of one of the oddest floors in the NBA, and sometimes there wasn’t any hot water for the visiting team. But all the tricks seemed to disappear once the TD Garden was erected in its shadow. Until now.

After the two horrendous losses to start the series, the Celtics finally played up to the standards of the brilliant playoff atmosphere in Boston. Isaiah Thomas got to stand by the crowd under the basket after one of his six baskets. The crowd roared through the TV during their fourth quarter run, something that’s very hard to do. For the first time since 2012, the Garden can almost taste a second round series.

Maybe, just maybe, Red is watching too. Sure it was raining Wednesday night in Boston. There were reports of infrastructure acting funny around Boston, but something more may have been going on in the Garden WED. It’s still a young venue at just over 20 years old.

What’d you say? Those banners are hanging up in the rafters there for a reason. So we never forget.

Greg Forwerck/NBAE/Getty Images