The Celtics got back into the win column on Friday, dismantling the Hornets as they played their reserves in the penultimate game of the regular season.
But Friday’s win came on the heels of two consecutive uncharacteristic losses from a 63-win team, especially for one that’s been as good as the Celtics have been this season. They fell to the Bucks, 104-91, on Tuesday as they trailed by at least 15 points for the majority of the game.
Two days later, the Celtics fell to the Knicks, 118-109, but were losing by 29 when Joe Mazzulla yanked the starters in the final minute of the third quarter.