Brad Stevens is in no mood to gaze at silver linings. Even as the Celtics were winning 9-of-11 games heading into Wednesday’s meeting with New York, he was well aware of the Sword of Damocles that hung perilously above.
The fact it impaled his lads in a 117-106 loss made the coach none too excited about acknowledging the positive reality that the Celts have managed to get themselves 10 games over .500 while still having abundant room for growth.
“Yeah, I hope so,” Stevens said.
The coach barely paused before adding, “We’re just not good enough defensively.