How One Missed Boston Celtics Foul Shot Cost Me $130 Last Night

Is it really the Boston Celtics' fault that I lost money last night? No, not really. Is it easier just to blame them than my love for online sports betting? Yes, of course it is!

If like me, you live in the state of Maine, then you were one of thousands of people that were thrilled to see online sports betting become legal earlier this year. Now admittedly, I didn't jump on the bandwagon until a couple weeks ago after seeing my 674,851th Draft Kings ad on TV.

Let me also be clear that I do enjoy a little gambling and betting, but I'm not one of those people that needs an intervention in a hotel room while my family sits in a circle and reads pre-written letters to me.

Now that we've gotten that out of the way, let's jump into what happened during the Celtics / Nets game last night in New York. I like to bet parlays because they typically have a bigger payout with a little bit more risk.

For those who don't know, a parlay is basically a combination of things that need to happen simultaneously for your bet to pay out. Last night I bet on a 4-legged parlay for the Celtics. I needed 25+ point from Jayson Tatum, 3+ 3-pointers from Derrick White, Jaylen Brown to score 25+ and a combination of 20+ points, assists and/or rebounds from Jrue Holiday.

As the game progressed, I watched all of my parlay bubbles turn green. JT hit his 25+ points, Jrue Holiday got his 20+ combo and D-White easily sunk several deep threes. All I needed was for lucky number 7, Jaylen Brown to get TWO more points. A simple layup would have secured my $130 winnings on my $14 bet.

It was late in the 4th, the Celtics were up by a bunch. I knew that soon the starters would be pulled and the bench would finish out the game. I needed two points and quickly.

It wasn't looking good for me. But then, a miracle. Jaylen was fouled in the paint and went to the line for 2 shots. This was it. The big moment. All I needed was for JB to sink both of these foul shots.

I watched in silence as he teed up his first shot and bounced if off the rim. I died a little inside as the ball completely missed the basket and fell back to the court. And that is how I lost $14 bucks.

I know it wasn't like a massive bet or anything, but to be so close and yet so far away.. ahhhh!!!

GO CELTICS!