Kyrie Irving. (Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- It's the last game before the All-Star Break for the Celtics tonight.
They'll host Doc Rivers' Clippers at 8 p.m., and the C's are struggling, with losses in 3 of 4 and 8 of 14 to fall a game behind the Raptors for first in the East.
Sunday's 22-point defeat to the new-look and suddenly surging Cavaliers was just ugly.
"I thought we came out, we were ready, we were playing with great pace," said Head Coach Brad Stevens. "I thought our first unit played really well right out of the gate. And then I thought that they did a great job of getting some aggressive plays, pushing some of our catches out, turning us over a few times at the end of the first half, led to some baskets, kind of changed the complexion of the game. From there, I thought they just dominated the game."
Tonight may not be any easier. Clips have won 4 of 6 since dealing Blake Griffin for former C's fan-favorite Avery Bradley and others, and Rivers was in town for that last Celts game for Paul Pierce's retirement ceremony, but he also had the opportunity to scout his next foe.
Boston won the clubs' meeting in Los Angeles 113-102 3 weeks ago.
Marcus Smart will miss his 11th straight game with a hand laceration.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Adam Kaufman reports