Boston Celtics: 3 player reactions to effortless loss in Chicago
Where is the fire?
Following a dreadful second quarter against the Chicago Bulls, the Boston Celtics came out in the third quarter following halftime with the same lack of energy and fight.
Falling down by as many as 25 points, the Celtics just couldn’t find a way to match the high-level of intensity the Bulls were playing with until it was basically too late.
As usual, the Celtics did make a run in the game, getting within 8 points early in the fourth quarter. But, again, Zach LaVine and Lauri Markkanen made big buckets to keep the Bulls ahead and punching back when the Celtics made their run.
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On que, Marcus Smart took the team’s performance very personal and called out the team’s fight following the game.
"“Our toughness. Our will to fight. Our will to do everything,” Smart said, via Jay King of the Athletic. “It’s like we ain’t got the will to do it anymore.”"
This isn’t the first time the team’s will to win has been called out. They typically respond for a few games, but then there is a game like Saturday night against the Bulls. Is it a lack of interest or does the team just feel like they can step on the court and win games without the effort?
Whatever it is, it is not the way Marcus Smart is used to playing and it is not the Boston Celtics basketball fans have become accustomed to. Perhaps the impact of Aron Baynes is greater than everyone thinks. It seems the team has played its best basketball when the Australian big man is healthy and on the court.