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News, Blog and GuidesThe Boston Celtics are one win away from being crowned NBA champions. They head into tonight’s Game 4 at TD Garden leading 3-1. The officiating crew has now been confirmed.
Andy HallUpdate: Jun 17th, 2024 10:07 EDT0
Jerome MironUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
The Boston Celtics missed their first chance to be crowned NBA champions after suffering a harrowing 84-122 defeat at American Airlines Center on Friday. On the plus side, Joe Mazzulla’s team have another chance this evening – and could clinch the title in front of their own fans. That would be the ideal outcome for the Cs, who could face another road trip if Dallas pull another game back in the series – another reason to finish the job off asap.
A Boston win would also set a new NBA record – the Celtics would seal their 18th title, overtaking the Lakers as the most successful franchise in league history.
PARQUET GAMEDAY ☘️ pic.twitter.com/sR2eQ4sE90
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) June 17, 2024
Zach Zarba’s officiating crew for Game 5 in Boston
Crew Chief Zach Zarba will lead an officiating team that comprises Referee John Goble, Umpire Bill Kennedy and Courtney Kirkland (Alternate) with James Capers on hand to check any plays on the monitors at the Replay Center.
During two decades of experience in the league, 49-year-old New York City native Zarba has officiated in a total of 1,246 regular-season games and 146 playoff games as an NBA staff official. He has called 12 NBA Finals games, debuting in Game 3 of the 2013 series between the Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs. The Celtics are 9-1 in their last 10 games with Zarba, including the Game 3 win over Cleveland and Game 4 win over Indiana; the Mavericks are 5-5.
Daniel Gafford was a bundle of ENERGY in the Mavs' Game 4 W 🔋Dallas looks to force a Game 6 tomorrow at 8:30pm/et on ABC! pic.twitter.com/VCZOdZ9g1v
— NBA (@NBA) June 16, 2024
in 16 seasons as an NBA staff official, referee John Goble has overseen 993 regular-season games plus extensive experience in the postseason with 125 playoff games under his belt, including eight NBA Finals games.
Umpire Bill Kennedy has spent 26 seasons in NBA and has been designated for 1,420 regular-season games, 139 playoff games and six NBA Finals games. The Phoenix native made his Finals debut in 2010, in Game 3 of the series between the Celtics and the Lakers (Los Angeles won 91-84).
