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THE Celtics have activated reaction mode again. Last season and even at the start of the season, they were in domination mode. But for two months, things have been slipping, with mostly small roller coaster sequences: one or two victories, then a defeat, before a reaction, then again a setback, before a new response, etc.
So, after the heavy setback against the Lakers, the reigning champions arrived in Dallas to bounce back. They did it like recently against Orlando, after the defeat in Toronto, then against the Warriors, after the loss against the Hawks. But they no longer manage to be in this state of motivation regularly.
“We were lions last season and, in certain matches this year, it looks like we are cats”, compared Kristaps Porzingis. “We would like to have the state of mind we had last season, but it’s hard. We can't tell ourselves stories and say that it's a playoff game every time. It's hard and it's human. We know our group, we know what they are capable of in big matches, but we have to do it regularly and build on such victories. »
Sated, they have lost their killer instinct
It would therefore not be surprising to see the Celtics fall again against the Rockets on Monday evening… “We're trying to bring back our killer instinct. We want to find him. At times we're really good, and at other times, not at all.”confirms the interior.
After spending long seasons aiming for the title, winning it in 2024 was an achievement for this group. And it's natural to now see the Celtics being less passionate about the long and grueling regular season. Which is confirmed with a figure: the last time they won at least four matches in a row was at the end of November 2024…
“It’s going to come, it’s going to come. We continue to work and it will eventually happen,” announces Jaylen Brown. “We must continue to fight to become what we want to be, we must be tested and pass these tests. It's not easy. The shots don't fit and it's really ugly at times. Our attack was a little lacking, the energy wasn't really the same, but it's going to be okay. We have to keep our spirits up, play basketball and the tide will turn. »