Boston Celtics NBA Finals: Game 4 Watch Party Set For Copley Square

BOSTON — There will be an outdoor street party in Boston, while bars and restaurants will be all abuzz throughout New England, Friday night as the Celtics look to take a commanding lead in the NBA Finals.

Boston took a 2-1 lead in the series with a stirring fourth quarter shutdown of the Golden State Warriors Wednesday night and will now look to move within one victory of the franchise's 18th title in Friday night's Game 4.

Fans in Greater Boston are invited to a free outdoor watch party in Copley Square Park for the game that tips off shortly after 9 p.m. Those attending are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets to sit on when they are not standing to cheer on the team in green in its first NBA Finals in 12 years.

"Playoffs is my favorite time of year," said Jaylen Brown, who missed last year's playoffs because of an injury. "It's what I love about basketball. Last year, having to watch was hard for me. That's what makes this year — this playoff run — so special."

Brown is averaging 22.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game while shooting 42.9 percent on 3-pointers through the first three games of the Finals. Six years after he was the No. 3 pick of the 2016 NBA Draft, he is at the top of the discussion of potential Finals Most Valuable Player if the Celtics go on to win the series.

"It's hard for me to reflect on moments when I'm in the heart of the storm," he said on Thursday. "All the adversity, all the ups and downs, all the negative things have indirectly or directly helped build me to where I'm at.

"Things weren't given to me here. I haven't always been put in the best position to be the best version of myself. And that's aided me into getting better, to working harder. Sometimes the things you complain most about are your biggest blessings."

Those who want a seat inside the Garden to see Brown and the Celtics in person Friday night will have to pay around $750 for a balcony seat on the secondary market, according to Ace Ticket late Friday morning, with courtside seats going for up to $20,000.

Boston police are warning those who buying tickets from an unauthenticated site online or from people on the street about an increasing number of fake tickets the further the Celtics go in the playoffs.

"The BPD encourages fans to only buy tickets from authorized ticket agencies," Boston police said in a statement. "Fans who purchase tickets from a secondary source are taking a chance and do so at the buyer’s own risk."

Those taking the train into see the game either inside TD Garden or in the Back Bay will have to hustle to catch the last commuter rail trips home after the game.

The MBTA said the Haverhill Line Train 225 (10:55 p.m. from North Station, Lowell Line Train (11 p.m. from North Station) and the Fitchburg Line Train 433 (10:55 from North Station) will all be held until 15 minutes after the conclusion of the game for departure.

Here is the remaining schedule for the 2022 NBA Finals:

Game 1 — Boston 120, at Golden State 108

Game 2 — At Golden State 107, Boston 88

Game 3 — At Boston 116, Golden State 100

Game 4 — Golden State at Boston, Friday, June 10, 9 p.m.

Game 5 — Boston at Golden State, Monday, June 13, 9 p.m.

Game 6 (if necessary) — Golden State at Boston, Thursday, June 16, 9 p.m.

Game 7 (if necessary) — Boston at Golden State, Sunday, June 19, 8 p.m.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)