The Celtics are grappling with inconsistency this season, but at least are admitting that their championship celebration and the emotional toll of last year’s success have impacted their intensity.
After a dominant season where they won 68 games and captured their 18th title, the Celtics have cooled off in recent months. At 32-14, they are still second in the Eastern Conference, but their 11-9 record since a 21-5 start shows signs of slippage.
They did beat the Luka Doncic-less Mavericks in a Finals rematch in Dallas on Saturday. Still, it’s been hard to know what to expect from the C’s this season. Or at least lately.
Center Kristaps Porzingis put it bluntly, telling reporters, “We were a lion last season, and some games this year we’ve looked like a house cat.”
He emphasized that regaining their killer instinct has been a challenge, admitting that it’s tough to maintain the same focus and intensity for every regular-season game.
The Celtics’ struggle was evident in their blowout loss to the Lakers, but in Saturday’s 122-107 win over the Mavericks, they showed signs of life.
Jaylen Brown, who had 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists, spoke about staying positive during tough stretches.
“It’s coming. It’s coming,” he said. “You just keep working. It’s coming. You got to keep fighting if you want to be what you say you want to be, got to be tested and you got to pass those tests and be worthy of it. It’s been hard. Shots are not going in. It’s looked a little bit ugly at times. Our offense has been a little bit [off]. The energy hasn’t been flowing the way it’s used to, but that’s all right.
“Just keep your mind, you keep your spirit lifted, you keep your teammates’ spirit lifted and you come out and you play basketball, the tide will turn.”
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