Celtic Pride 1996

In a city steeped in sports nostalgia, two lifelong buddies, Mike O’Hara, a physical education teacher, and Jimmy Flaherty, a plumber, find themselves grappling with the Boston Celtics’ shocking loss to the Utah Jazz in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. This heart-wrenching defeat is made all the more painful for Mike, as his wife Carol has walked out on him, taking their young son Tommy along, frustrated with his obsessive devotion to the Celtics. The duo’s lives take an unexpected turn when they encounter Lewis Scott, the glamorous shooting guard for the Jazz, at a Boston nightclub. Their initial plot is to get Scott so drunk that he’ll be too hungover to perform in Game 7, masquerading as Jazz supporters. However, their scheme spirals into chaos as they find themselves inadvertently holding Scott captive at Jimmy’s apartment, realizing that if they’re destined for jail, they might as well use the opportunity to help the Celtics clinch a win.

Tensions heighten as Scott mercilessly ridicules both Mike and Jimmy, branding them as washed-up has-beens drowning in envy of his celebrity and skill on the court. Simultaneously, Mike’s frustration simmers over Scott’s egotistical behavior, both on and off the court—like starring in an embarrassing Oscar Mayer hot dog commercial and his notorious habit of skipping practices. Trying to create a rift, Scott attempts to sway Jimmy against Mike but ultimately fails. This propels him into a reckless escape plan which is quickly thwarted by a grumpy cab driver and a local cop named Kevin, both fervent Celtics fans hell-bent on ensuring their team succeeds in the crucial Game 7.

As the clock ticks down to the much-anticipated showdown, Mike confronts Scott in a one-on-one challenge, only to be caught off guard seconds before the game begins. Scott offers them a chilling ultimatum: pretend to support the Jazz or face the dire consequences of his betrayal—imminent arrest. Burdened by this heavy choice, Mike reconciles with his family, grasping the reality of possible incarceration, while Jimmy bids farewell to his grandmother. When the game kicks off, the duo cleverly convinces other Celtics fans that their feigned admiration for the Jazz is a tactical jinx. As the first half ends with Boston holding a slight lead, Mike—aware of Scott’s refusal to pass the ball—delivers an electrifying pep talk from the stands. This motivates a stunning comeback from Utah, narrowing the score to a mere point with seconds left. Faced with the impending triumph of the Jazz, Mike and Jimmy find themselves torn between allegiance to the Celtics and their ethical compass, deciding instead to cheer for the underdog Utah team as they pull off a sensational win. Amid the exuberant victory, Scott’s earlier betrayal fades into the background, overshadowed by the joy of their shared success.

Fast forward several months later, and Mike has pledged to Carol that he’ll never compromise his integrity again by meddling in an NBA Finals game. However, temptation creeps back into his life with the onset of football season. Joined by Jimmy, the two sneak into Deion Sanders’ hotel room at the ungodly hour of 3:00 a.m., their true intentions cloaked in mystery but their determination unmistakable.