Photo by: Lance Iversen/ SF Chronicle
The Boston Celtics (14-15) had lost five of their last seven games, and the green team continues to struggle as they fall to the Golden State Warriors (21-10) 101-83 on Saturday night.
In the second consecutive night on three-game road trip, the Celtics find away to get humiliated by Stephen Curry and company. Doc Rivers’ team has lost by 23.5 points in the past two contests.
This team has not been in sync at all in this season.
Here is my consensus thus far:
Are the Celtics that bad or the Clippers and Warriors just that good?:
It’s a mixture of both. The Boston Celtics have not figured out their demeanor on and off the court and through 29 games in the 2012-13 it is a little uncharacteristic for this veteran team.
Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE
Emerging into this season, a lot of people had some curiosity regarding Ray Allen leaving for Miami. Now, you know what this team is made of right now.
Granted, it is a couple of months into the season. It’s incredible to see this team who made it to the Eastern Conference finals struggle poorly.
Celtics general manager Danny Ainge is going to have to evaluate who is on the roster because father time is catching up with Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. These two long-time players can’t be playing 40-plus minutes night in and night out. Boston does have youth to provide for these two starters, but right now they aren’t applying the leverage Doc Rivers needs.
In terms of the two California teams, they are just firing on all cylinders including having a ton of depth. These two teams have basically a two-team rotation. They both have quality players coming off the bench.
The Celtics will thrive if their bench has a presence. If they don’t bring it all on the floor every night, Celtics will lose close battles.
Change of schemes:
Doc Rivers has been with the Boston Celtics for eight years now, and through his stint in Beantown the word defense has been used in about every statement he makes. This year, it’s another story.
Photo by AP
Kevin Garnett and company has transformed their schemes into being a offensive mindset when in years back Doc Rivers has preached defense, defense, and more defense. In the 2012-13 season, the Celtics are ranked 15th in points allowed. Recently, in these two games, the opponents are shooting over 50% from the field.
“We usually fuel off of our defense and for some reason offense is more important now,” Garnett stated softly after Saturday’s defeat.
Looking at the roster from top to bottom there are a fairly amount new players, but Rivers is accustom to making and urging players to thrive in his system which is defense. Defense should be the talk around this team instead of a run-and-go type of offense. Avery Bradley’s presence, who is suppose to return next week, might be the Neosporin to stop the bleeding.
Bright stars in the loss:
If there is any good to take away from this loss, it has to be the play of Jared Sullinger and Courtney Lee.
Photo by AP Photo/George Nikitin
Sullinger brought a powerful stance down low battling for the lose balls and what he does best, the baby runner in the paint. The first-year power forward has averaged 8.0 points and 6.5 rebounds in the past two games.
Lee, on the other hand, blossomed into Saturday’s loss. The four-year shooting guard posted 18 points and five rebounds in the defeat. His fill-in for the Rondo void was the talk of the night.
Celtics will have to suit up and bring their better play for a chance at a bounce back victory against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday at 9 p.m.
Side notes:
- Rajon Rondo wasn’t available today due to a bruised hip and thigh he suffered in Friday night’s game.
- Leandro Barbosa is expected to reunite with the Celtics on Sunday vs. Kings.
