In the midst of the Celtics’ fifth straight loss on Thursday, TNT broadcaster Marv Albert made multiple comments that the Celtics were pumping fake crowd noise into TD Garden, noting that the cheering seems disproportionately loud when many fans are sitting down.

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During a drawn-out discussion about the subject, Albert told analyst Steve Kerr: “It’s artificial. It’s absurd. And they do it here all the time.”

Albert pointed out what he felt was taped applause after a Paul Pierce basket, and he noted that there were fake boos as well: “First it was cheers. And then when Carmelo [Anthony] got the ball, there’s no question someone touched a button [for boos].”

The Celtics tweeted a denial of Albert’s accusations, insisting that the team has never used artificial crowd noise.

Regarding comments on tonight’s @nbaontnt broadcast, the @celtics have never used artificial crowd noise. #iamaceltic #CelticsTalk

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) January 25, 2013

After the game, Albert tried to play down his comments.

“It seems that way, but they say no,” Albert said after the C’s 89-86 loss to the Knicks. “There’s times when it seems like there is suddenly a bump in the sound. But I really don’t want to make a big deal out of it.”