“Bro thought he was Larry Bird” - Grant Williams sparks hilarious memes and reactions as he misses critical free throws after claiming he’ll make both

Grant Williams and the Boston Celtics were desperately trying to hold off the hard-charging Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night. The Cavs overcame a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter but were still 0.8 seconds on the brink of a painful loss.

Williams was fouled and was sent to the free throw line to possibly win the game for the Celtics. Cavaliers All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell tried to get into Williams’ head with trash talk. Boston’s power forward proudly and confidently declared that he’d make both freebies, which he ended up missing.

Basketball fans promptly and viciously trolled Williams for his misses:

“Bro thought he was Larry Bird”

One even suggested that the soon-to-be restricted free agent Williams could end up playing somewhere else next season:

“He almost tricked me into thinking he was a pure hooper, then he had to go and reveal what he really is. Dude will be in China in 5 years MAX”

Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird used to torture opponents by doing exactly what he told them he would do. He would even tell them where he would put himself in position to shoot and the shot he would take. It is a trait only the best of the best have tried copying.

Grant Williams' confidence will be something coaches and players will appreciate. However, failing to make even one free-throw to possibly win the game will be something that might never be removed from Williams' career.

The Cleveland Cavaliers also did their part in trying to put pressure on Williams. After missing the first one, coach J.B. Bickerstaff made a few changes to his lineup on the floor. The move "iced" the free throw shooter for at least 45 seconds, just enough to allow the pressure to pile on.

And just as the Cavaliers hoped, he muffed the second shot, sending the game into an extra period.

It was all they needed as the Cleveland Cavaliers outscored Grant Williams' Boston Celtics 9-5 for a hard-fought win.

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The Cleveland Cavaliers could have won the game without desperately needing Grant Williams' misses

The Boston Celtics didn't have NBA All-Star game MVP Jayson Tatum, Al Horford and Robert Williams against the Cleveland Cavaliers. They also played the second night of a back-to-back set. Boston arrived late after a marathon two-overtime loss to the New York Knicks on Sunday.

The stage was set for the Cavaliers to run away with a victory on their home floor against a tired Celtics team. Instead, Boston's resiliency showed, keeping Cleveland at bay for nearly the entire game.

Grant Williams, who usually starts when Jayson Tatum is unavailable, came off the bench for Blake Griffin. Williams played 16 minutes and finished with 12 points and four rebounds. He also hit four of his five 3-point attempts.

The undersized Williams impressively battled the twin-tower combo of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. He was both competitive and crucial in the Boston Celtics' attempt to break their two-game losing slump.

Grant Williams, however, failed to deliver when the Celtics desperately wanted him to. Those missed free throws could hurt him and the team for the rest of the season, particularly if they fall down the standings.

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