The Boston Celtics edged out the Toronto Raptors, avenging their early season defeat at the hands of their Eastern Conference rivals. With the win, the Celtics have once again cemented themselves as the team to beat in the East.
Well, not quite. Just a night after the TD Garden crowd celebrated a massive come-from-behind win over the Raptors, that same crowd witnessed their beloved Celtics fall back down to earth against the Utah Jazz, 98-86.
Following their defeat against the Jazz, coach Brad Steven's questioned the team's toughness.
“The game honors toughness,” Stevens said, per Jay King of The Athletic. “And boy, is that true. You see that. You see that over and over.”
“We have to build a tougher mindset than we have,” Stevens said Saturday. “We just don’t have that mindset yet that we need.”
Just when we thought the Celtics had it figured out, they lay an egg like they did against Utah.
Boston just hasn't been consistent throughout the season. Moreover, their defense isn't just as tough as it was last year. This was evident in last night's loss, particularly when Jazz forward Derrick Favors slammed home three consecutive alley-oop dunks early in the fourth quarter. Stevens had seen enough, and pulled out his starters to send a message.
It's obvious the team that made the Eastern Conference Finals last year is still reintegrating its two returning stars, Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward back into the mix. While Kyrie has found his stride over the past few weeks, Hayward is still working to return to the All-Star form he once had before his horrific injury last season.
However, Stevens believes the adjustment period shouldn't be an excuse for the Celtics not to play tougher.
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