Celtics Convey What They're Focused on Improving as the Playoffs Approach

The Celtics must utilize their last 13 regular-season games to address their flaws to the best of their ability.

With 13 games left in the regular season, there are more concerns surrounding the Celtics than at any other juncture in the campaign.

At 47-22, they have the second-best record in the NBA, but Boston's lost control of the one seed in the Eastern Conference and likely won't get it back.

After a 111-109 loss to the Rockets, the team tied with the Pistons for the fewest wins in the NBA this season (16), the Celtics are 2.5 games behind the Bucks, who on Monday, knocked off the Kings, who are third in the West.

Boston is also only a game ahead of the third-seeded Sixers. The defending Eastern Conference champions have games left in Philadelphia and Milwaukee.

When asked what the Celtics have to do to get back on track and make sure they're playing their best basketball when it matters most, Jaylen Brown, who registered a game-high 43 points against the Rockets, offered the following.

"I just think, one, we need to continue to build the camaraderie, the trust as a team. The little stuff goes a long way. Picking guys up when they fall. When you come out of the game, dapping everybody up, making sure you get everybody's hand. Cheering for your teammates; just bringing energy.

"Having fun with the game is one thing I want to continue to build as we go into the playoffs. But two, taking care of the little things. Our execution. We lost tonight, not really on execution, but lack of effort. Not doing our job, the hard stuff, the little stuff is what adds up. The offensive rebounds, the loose balls, the turnovers, and we didn't deserve to win today."

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Jayson Tatum, who finished Monday night's loss in Houston with 22 points, went 8/22, including 2/10 on threes, committed four turnovers, and missed the game-tying layup, shared Brown's sentiment, discussing where he and the team need to be better.

"I have to be better starting the game, just from an energy level, being active out there. Because toward the end of the game, when we were trying to come back and damn near trying to be perfect, a couple (of) turnovers, or they were hitting shots, they were already in a rhythm. That starts from the beginning, so I've got to be better, and we've got to be better to start."

Addressing whether coming up short against the Rockets, a game where Boston scored less than 30 points in each quarter, creates new concerns for the Celtics, head coach Joe Mazzulla highlighted the core four factors.

"Those are concerning, the margins: the free throws, the rebounding, the turnovers, the second chance. Those, regardless of who you play, that's playoff basketball at its finest is the ability to win those situations. So, it's concerning that we're inconsistent in that. And we have to be committed to those regardless of who we're playing, regardless of the situation, regardless of how many games are left, it doesn't matter, you have to be committed to those."

Marcus Smart, who's struggled since returning from a right ankle sprain, and finished with six points, four turnovers, and two assists in 28 minutes in Monday's loss to Houston is not overly concerned with Boston’s inconsistencies.

"I’d rather it happen now than when we get into the playoffs," conveyed the Celtics' floor general. "Last year, it flipped around this time; we started to catch the rhythm…So, we started early; hopefully, we can catch our rhythm late (this time)."

Last year, when Boston engineered the most impressive in-season turnaround in NBA history, it began in mid-January. Between a run to the NBA Finals and how well the Celtics have played for much of this campaign, they have more to fall back on than when they were 11th in the East last season. But addressing concerns, some of which proved costly in the playoffs a year ago, to the best of their ability in these remaining 13 games is a wiser approach than waiting until the postseason to try flipping the switch.

Further Reading

From the Celtics' Offensive Approach to What He Blames Himself for, Jayson Tatum Addresses Loss to a Rockets Team with 16 Wins

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Loss vs. Rockets: Boston Pays for Not Sticking with What Works

Damon Stoudamire Named Head Coach of Georgia Tech

The Celtics' Identity Has Changed for the Worst, But There's Time to Recalibrate