Celtics coach Brad Stevens. (Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- The Celtics have really been struggling of late.
They've lost eight of their last 14 since their trip to London and more recently they've been getting hammered.
They led the Cavaliers by one after the first quarter yesterday, then were outscored 64-42 the next two frames and ultimately crushed 121-99--Boston's third loss in four games.
Those games have been ugly. C's trailed the Raptors and Cavs by 29 points apiece and fell behind the Pacers by 26.
With the rut, Boston's dropped a half-game back of Toronto for first in the East, despite a conference-leading 40 wins.
All-Star starter Kyrie Irving says he's trying to find the positives.
"As we go forward, I think that we can consistently learn from not only a game like tonight but the last few games of playing the high intense teams in the Eastern Conference, where we've been tested," he said.
The Celtics will host the Clippers Wednesday, then enjoy eight days off for the All-Star break to hopefully regroup and refocus for the last 23 games of the regular season.
The team's also still keeping an eye on the buyout market and monitoring the possible return of Gordon Hayward.
Gordon Hayward To Travel Soon--But Will He Return To Celtics?
Hear more from Irving below.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Adam Kaufman reports