During Game 2 of the NBA Finals in Boston, Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy made a statement by wearing a clown t-shirt featuring the face of Mavericks star Kyrie Irving.
Portnoy, a vocal supporter of the Celtics throughout the series, showcased his disdain for the Dallas standout by flaunting the shirt while seated courtside.
At one point, Portnoy, who was accompanied by a blonde guest, was featured on the jumbotron, taking the opportunity to display his t-shirt to the entire arena.
He was also notably active in booing Irving whenever he took possession of the basketball.
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Following the Celtics’ 105-98 victory over Irving’s Mavericks, Portnoy took to Twitter to promote the t-shirt, offering it to fans for $32. Irving, who left Boston under controversial circumstances in 2019, has remained a figure of contention among local fans.
Portnoy’s interests in the outcome of the Finals extend beyond fandom, as he stands to gain significant gambling profits. He has stated that his winnings could reach $7.5 million for the year if the Celtics clinch the NBA Finals and the Edmonton Oilers secure the Stanley Cup.
Before the Finals, Portnoy shared that he would win $1.1 million if the Celtics were crowned NBA champions.
With the Celtics now leading the series 2-0 against the Mavericks, Portnoy’s bet is looking promising. He even tweeted a photo of himself with the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy before the game, teasing, “Too soon? #celticsin4.”
However, the Oilers faced a setback, losing their first Stanley Cup game 3-0 to the Florida Panthers.
Game 3 of the NBA Finals is set for Wednesday night in Dallas, with the Mavericks needing a win to avoid a potential sweep and keep their championship hopes alive.
Meanwhile, Boston’s Jaylen Brown, Jason Tatum, and Derrick White contributed significantly to their Game 2 win, while Irving struggled, scoring only 16 points with Portnoy in the audience. This loss extended Irving’s losing streak against the Celtics to 12 games.
