The Celtics didn鈥檛 sound too alarmed when they lost on the road to the lowly Bulls over the weekend. Forget that their opponents were third to last in the so-called Leastern Conference. Or that they had hitherto waxed the very same hosts by a record score. Or that it was their second straight setback coming off All-Star weekend. As far as they were concerned, it was an off-night that could easily be explained away. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e going to have clunkers in the (National Basketball Association),鈥 head coach Brad Stevens argued. Meanwhile, top dog Kyrie Irving exhibited supreme confidence in declaring that the seemingly lethargic play wouldn鈥檛 be carrying over to the playoffs. 鈥淏ecause I鈥檓 here,鈥 he noted.
Well, Irving was likewise present yesterday, and he did little to combat the Raptors en route to yet another setback for the Celtics. In fact, he scored just seven points off an anemic three-of-10 shooting from the field in 28 minutes on the court, his lowest output since the second week of the season. Significantly, he laid an egg after the second quarter, his disappearing act a major reason for their inability to climb back from a deficit that went up to as high as 31. Little wonder, then, that he wore a long face in the aftermath.
Indeed, there were no bright spots during or after their embarrassing setback to the Raptors. Heading into the set-to, not a few quarters deemed them motivated to show their best, and not just because they looked primed for a bounceback. More importantly, they were facing competition regarded to be among their toughest in the postseason en route to a projected Finals appearance. Instead, they limped through a second period in which they had a whopping eight turnovers, twice as many as the field goals they made. And they were worse — make that much worse — at the other end of the floor; they allowed 36 points off 14 baskets, 11 of which were assisted.
Perhaps the Celtics can weather their latest storm and summon enough momentum to finish the season in fulfillment of their promise. They certainly have the talent to do so. Then again, when their best player responds with 鈥淚 don鈥檛 know鈥 and 鈥淚t鈥檚 up to Brad鈥 to queries on their disjointed play, it鈥檚 hard for fans to stay upbeat. At this point, even they themselves aren鈥檛 anymore.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since 大象传媒 introduced a Sports section in 1994.
