Adrenaline Shift
While injuries have definitely played a part in the last couple of losses, the bigger issue is that the Celtics don't seem to be handling their new position as front runners so well. For the first 30 games, the Celtics played with playoff-level intensity. Clearly, they weren't going to be able to keep that up. The problem that they are running into though is that, while they've settled down a bit, their opponents are now entering at the matchups with playoff-level instensity. Everyone wants to knock off the leaders of the pack.
The lack of intensity could be seen on the boards in this game. The Wizards owned the offensive glass. Giving up 20 offensive rebounds is inexcusable. After the first half, someone should have started putting a body on Antawn Jamison. In the end, the Wizards simply wanted this game more and it showed. I wouldn't be stunned to see the Celtics come back on Monday with a sense of purpose and run the Wiz out of the building.
We've been spoiled for these first months (and by the Patriots). The Celtics were playing a level of basketball that is usually saved for the second season. It's time for them to come back to earth and while it's not as fun as watching them blow people out, losing every so often isn't something to go insane about. It's the regular season. Great teams lose every now and then. The Celtics are still one of the handful of elite teams in the NBA and will likely be in that position come playoff time.
Now while we shouldn't panic, we shouldn't sit back and rest on our laurels. Clearly this team has some issues and right now, backup PG is one of the bigger ones. Since Gabe Pruitt seems glued to the pine, we need to find someone to sign for a short term. Earl Boykins, Randy Livingston, and others are out there but would they keep Tony Allen off of the floor? For all of the Tony's boneheaded plays, he does play good defense and often that's what's needed in crunch time. Right now, the best option out there might be Mike Wilks. While he is short, his overall defense is solid. He's by no means a long term solution but if we're not going to play Pruitt, we should definitely look into bringing Wilks in on a ten day contract.
