The Boston Celtics Possess the Permission to Experience Series of Defeats
The Boston Celtics selected the least favorable moment to commence their initial losing streak this season. On Christmas Day, under national scrutiny, they suffered a defeat to the Philadelphia 76ers with a score of 118-114. These score-checking basketball enthusiasts who tuned in for the first time in the season probably believed they were grappling with a championship hangover.
Nevertheless, this was not the case. Instead, this was their inaugural slip-up of dropping successive games throughout the entire season. Given the jittery psyche of Boston sports spectators, it was only natural to head into panic mode.
The reaction was justified. The 76ers detected vulnerability in their opponent and seized the occasion. By the game's end, Celtic destroyer Caleb Martin had notched up as many points (23) as the Finals MVP Jaylen Brown.
Following the match, Boston Globe's Garry Washburn reported Brown's remark stating, "We appeared overly laid-back." Meanwhile, head coach Joe Mazzulla underlined that the Celtics weren't bearing down with the same intensity they had at the start of the season when they were virtually invincible.
The event presented an opportune moment for voicing out grievances, essentially acting out the post-Festivus scolding if you will. The crux of the matter was straightforward: Boston had grown overly reliant on three-point shots and had started slacking on defensive fronts.
To be clear, neither of these issues were fallacious. Expecting an NBA team to maintain the same intensity throughout the 82-game regular season was asinine. In fact, the Celtics had not wrestled back-to-back losses until Christmas Day. That's commendable, considering their status as defending champions accompanied by opponents' best efforts on a daily basis.
This held true for Philadelphia's performance on Christmas. For them, this afternoon showcase functioned as their NBA Finals Game 7. Meanwhile, for the Celtics, it was more like a regular Wednesday.
It's possible that opponents had started deciphering the Celtics' offensive schemes. Adaptability was crucial now, as the adversaries adjusted to the Celtics' adjustments.
As long as Mazzulla remained in charge, the team would prioritize three-point shots. Nonetheless, this was not a single-dimensional team. Brown, in particular, had underperformed beyond the arc this season but made amends with enhanced physicality and frequent trips to the free-throw line.
The Celtics' recent stumble was a small sample size situation, however, there were bigger picture concerns emerging. For the 2023-24 season, they had only lost four home games at TD Garden, a significant leap from previous seasons. Alas, they had already dropped five games in the current season, with the year still young.
Of particular concern was Porzingis's continuous injury woes. Upon returning from offseason surgery, we had acknowledged that the Celtics were virtually unbeatable when Porzingis was fit but relative to his health condition, that $60 million extension was starting to look questionable.
Early in the month, Porzingis exited a game against the Washington Wizards with "right heel pain" and now faced a left ankle sprain. With each premature exit, the notion of that hefty extension seemed more and more dubious.
Thus, despite recently losing three of their last four games, the Celtics presented an intriguing storyline. To truly understand this team, we would have to observe how it navigated its initial adversities of the season. With an impending West Coast road trip on the agenda, we would soon get a clearer picture of the Celtics' true identity.
After their defeat to the Philadelphia 76ers, Jaylen Brown acknowledged the team's lackadaisical approach, expressing concerns about their overreliance on three-point shots and slacking on defensive fronts. Meanwhile, Caleb Martin from the 76ers outscored Brown with 23 points in the game.
Despite Kristaps Porzingis's continuous injury woes, having recently exited a game with "right heel pain" and now facing a left ankle sprain, the Celtics still presented an intriguing storyline, with their recent adversities offering a glimpse into their true identity as they prepared for an upcoming West Coast road trip.
