Better than expected by a long shot

Sometimes, the universe does you a solid.

On Thursday evening, I took Charlie to his very first Celtics game at the Garden. The Celtics were playing the Pistons, which promised to be a lopsided affair:

The Celtics have the best record in the NBA at 25-6.

The Pistons have the worst record in the NBA at 2-29. They had also just tied the NBA record for the most consecutive losses at 27. If the Celtics won, the Pistons would own that dubious record all by themselves.

I had actually chosen this game purposely because I wanted Charlie’s first time watching the Celtics live to be a victory. I envisioned us laughing our way through the dismantling of the Pistons at the hands of our far superior team.

The evening started well. Charlie managed to get himself onto the Jumbotron just before tipoff, which was thrilling. We ate hot dogs, talked about basketball, and watched the players warm up. The player’s introductions were dramatic, complete with music, a light show, and pyrotechnics.

Charlie was buzzing.

We were ready for some basketball.

Then, things took a left turn. The Pistons came out playing well, apparently hell-bent on not setting the record for most consecutive losses, and the Celtics seemed to be perfectly willing to allow that to happen. Midway through the first quarter, as the Celtics were down 12 points, a friend texted me:

“I’m nervous for you. Desperately want Charlie to see a win.”

I sloughed off his concern. The Celtics would soon find their stride and put this team away.

Boy, was I wrong. By the end of the half, the Celtics were down by 21 points, and it looked like they might give this game away.

It had all the makings of a tragic defeat. Or a possible epic comeback.

As the third quarter commenced and the Celtics began to claw their way back, the fans went wild. Fully aware of the implications of losing to a team with just two victories all year, the Garden became alive and adopted an almost playoff-like atmosphere as the Celtics drew closer and closer to tying the game.

Charlie also went wild. With each step, he screamed, cheered, leaped into my arms, and high-fived everyone within ten feet.

Just as the Celtics tied the game at the end of the third quarter, Charlie made his second appearance on the Jumbotron.

The fourth quarter was a battle. The Celtics finally started hitting threes, and a review of a goal-tending call with about two minutes left would prove crucial. The final minute of regulation was a nail-biting back-and-forth war between the two teams, ending in a tie and overtime.

As the overtime period began, the Garden was electric. As loud as it’s ever been. Fans did not want their team to lose this game.

The Celtics ultimately won the game. Charlie’s favorite player, Kristaps Porzingis, was the hero, hitting two huge three-pointers and punctuating the final minute with an enormous slam dunk.

Porzingis ultimately led all scorers with 35 points.

I had hoped to bring Charlie to a blowout. A relaxing, fun game that the Celtics would win with ease.

Instead, we ended up with an overtime thriller, culminating with his favorite player saving the day.

On the way back to the car, Charlie said, “I’m going to remember this night forever, Dad.”

I will, too.

Silly me to think that I might be able to manipulate the universe and guarantee Charlie an automatic victory during his first trip to the Garden.

Instead, the universe gave us something so much better.