'Shaq had the script', joke NBA fans as TNT analyst predicts shock playoff result and taunts colleague Charles Barkley | Q738J8X | 2024-04-26 02:08:01
SHAQUILLE O'Neal has taunted his NBA on TNT colleague Charles Barkley after a bold on-air prediction came true.
The NBA legend, 52, correctly predicted a win for the Miami Heat over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday.
O'Neal sided with his former team despite their underdog status in Game 2 of the playoff showdown at the TD Garden.
Without injured star man Jimmy Butler, the No. 8 seeded Heat had been blown out 114-94 in the opening game of the series.
But Shaq was confident they would hit back on Wednesday.
"Miami by 10 points today," he boldly declared when asked for his prediction prior to tip-off.
"Bet me!" yelled back a shocked Barkley, asking for an on-air wager.
The Heat trailed 61-58 at the half – but Shaq remained adamant his former team would come through.
"They're shooting great, I would double whatever the bet is Chuck," he said during the half-time show.
"They are going to steal this game."
Tyler Herro put up 24 points and center Bam Adebayo collected 10 rebounds as the Heat stunned the Celtics 111-101.
"Shaq had the script!" gasped one fan in response on X, after O'Neal was dubbed "Shaqstradamus."
<!-- End of Brightcove Player --> TNT host Ernie Johnson brought up the tweet in the post-game show, calling Shaq's prediction "impressive."
"I have got to hand it to you," he said, "You called it on the number."
O'Neal began to taunt Barkley after being asked to "answer his phone" by panelist Kenny Smith.
He brought up a wad of fake banknotes to his ear, pretending to be on his cellphone.
"Pat Reilly? That was a hell of a game man," he joked, pretending to address the president of the Heat.
<!--googleoff: all--> <blockquote class="article__quote"> </blockquote> <!--googleon: all--> "You're a man of your word, Chuck!" Shaq shouted, waving the notes around in glee.
The Heat's surprise win levels the series at 1-1 before Game 3 in Miami on Saturday night.
Injured star Butler took to social media to taunt the Celtics after the unexpected victory.
Miami hit 23 total 3-pointers, its most ever in a playoff game, per ESPN.
"We've been doubted a lot through our playoff runs, people saying we couldn't do a lot of stuff that we did," said Adebayo in his post-game press conference.
"So for me and my team, why lose belief now?
"Our backs are against the wall. Everybody's against us. So just use that as fuel."
More >> https://ift.tt/y2FHzkA Source: MAG NEWS