Celtics vs. Warriors: Boston can still be NBA champions, but it's going to have to show us something

Celtics are reeling as it appears the moment may be too much for them

There may still be hope for the Boston Celtics. But their best chance to claim another banner sits firmly in the past.

Sure, yes, of course -- Boston can technically still win this series if they hold homecourt in Game 6 Thursday night and then go back to San Francisco and then post a W on the Warriors' home floor Sunday night in Game 7.

However they find themselves on the brink of elimination because they have betrayed the surge of resilience and star-squashing defense that got them here. Shutting down, and pushing past, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jimmy Butler are impressive victories. Dealing with Steph Curry -- and the real, brutal, rare, surprising effect of trying to win an NBA title -- is something else entirely.