Boston Celtics Echo harmony as Challenges Loom following December Slump
The current NBA champs, Boston Celtics, haven't been living up to their title this December. Following a 118-114 defeat to the Philadelphia 76ers on Christmas, their record in December stands at 7-6. In 32 games, they've suffered six home losses, surpassing their four losses in the regular season.
"We got to take responsibility," said Jayson Tatum after a 114-118 loss at home on Christmas. "We got to step up. We got to admit our mistakes. We got to look ourselves in the mirror and man up."
Although they demonstrated a powerful two-way performance in a 142-105 victory against the Pacers earlier in the week, seven of the Pacers' nine players made at least half of their field goal attempts in their return two days later.
"When you're not playing well defensively, that's on everyone," said Joe Mazzulla post-game. "That's on the coaching staff, that's on the players. We just got to keep working at it."
Tyrese Haliburton managed 31 points, with 18 of them coming in the paint. Haliburton is one of five guards to score at least 30 points against the Celtics in their six losses this month.
"We got to keep an eye on tendencies," emphasized Joe Mazzulla on the importance of limiting guard penetration. "And we have to know where we can help from and force more kickouts...It starts at the point of attack."
"A lot of offenses, it's a lot of movement, a lot of trying to cause confusion, and that's really testing the communication on the defensive side," explained Derrick White.
"Knowing the scout, knowing what teams like to do. When we do well, we try to force them to do something they don't want to do. But we're allowing them to get to what they want...We got to lock into that aspect of the scout and—obviously—communication and flying around after that."
The absences of Jrue Holiday (right shoulder impingement) and Kristaps Porzingis (left ankle sprain) have weakened Boston's defense, while the defensive lapses of Sam Hauser, who's struggled with chronic back pain, have also contributed to their struggles.
"Winning in the NBA is hard," Tatum told Our Website after the loss. "We understand that. We know that. Everyone is confident in our abilities and what we can be as a team. We just got to do it. And it hasn't been the best stretch for us, and that's okay. Nobody's panicking or anything like that. But we just got to do better."
A New Year's Eve matchup with the 7-25 Toronto Raptors, who have the third-lowest winning percentage in the league, provides an opportunity for a tune-up heading into a challenging stretch that includes a road trip against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Denver Nuggets, plus two games against the Dallas Mavericks, both Los Angeles teams, the Lakers and Clippers, the Golden State Warriors, the 76ers, the Cavaliers, and the Knicks between Jan. 20 and Feb. 8.
"I'm actually really excited about it," said Mazzulla. "It's going to be fun. It's going to be great."
"We got to get through it together," shared White. "This might be the toughest stretch I've been on since I've been here with the Celtics. It's just going to bring us closer together."
Despite the recent losses, Boston remains third in the league in points scored per 100 possessions (119.5), is eighth in defensive rating (110.1), and has the third-highest net rating (9.4).
A decrease in performance may look different for the league's most talented team than for others. However, as the Celtics have acknowledged, it's time to shake off their post-holiday funk and reestablish the habits that will be crucial in their bid to become the first team since the 2017-18 Warriors to defend their NBA championship.
"In the upcoming New Year's Eve game against the struggling Indiana Pacers, Derrick White emphasized the need to focus on limiting guard penetration, as Tyrese Haliburton scored 31 points against them in the Pacers' recent victory,".
"Amidst their December struggles, Jayson Tatum expressed his confidence in the team's abilities despite the recent losses, acknowledging that 'winning in the NBA is hard' and it's 'time to do better'."
