When the Boston Celtics allowed the Philadelphia 76ers to damage their Christmas day festivities at TD Backyard, that raised a pink flag.
It has been some time, however the Celtics encountered their first main problem in the midst of their title protection. Boston’s loss to Philadelphia marked two straight losses, the primary time the defending champions have suffered back-to-back losses to this point, and to high it off, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla might be working with a understaffed unit for Friday evening’s sport in opposition to the Indiana Pacers. .
The Celtics listed starters Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Vacation as questionable on Thursday’s harm report, additional including to the continuing disaster.
Vacation warmed up earlier than Wednesday evening’s battle in opposition to the Sixers, however sat on the sidelines with a proper shoulder harm. In the meantime, Porzingis, who was in uniform, didn’t return after halftime attributable to a sprained left ankle and didn’t converse to reporters following Boston’s 118-114 loss.
“I haven’t heard something but,” Mazzulla mentioned of Porzingis postgame. “…I observed he performed regardless of (the harm). I requested him how he was – he mentioned he was positive. He was re-evaluated at halftime, I have not heard something but.
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Boston’s back-to-back losses demonstrated an even bigger drawback for the Celtics. They’ve gone 5-5 over their final 10 video games and have suffered a drastic fall, going from the second-best 3-point taking pictures crew in October at 40.7% to at present the most effective 3-point taking pictures crew. fifteenth greatest at 36.5%and have returned to the behavior of underperforming within the face of modest competitors. Due to this fact, Boston’s Jap Convention Finals sport in opposition to Indiana will function its largest check up to now this season.
