Jayson Tatum drives to the basket during a Feb. 11 game against the Cavs. (Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- Al Horford's heading to All-Star weekend in Los Angeles with Celtics teammates Kyrie Irving, Jaylen Brown, and Jayson Tatum--but they may not be in the best moods given what's happened to the former East-leaders.
Boston is two games behind Toronto for first now after getting swept during a three-game homestand and dropping 9 of 15.
Marcus Smart's 11-game absence due to that hand laceration is certainly a big part of it--a frustrating element since he could've, ya know, not punched a picture to cut himself.
The team's struggles aren't solely tied to the guard's lack of availability, but his presence has been missed, especially defensively.
Irving mentioned there are two things players can control--attitude and effort. Smart never wavers in those categories, but his faltering friends have of late.
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The Celtics have allowed at least 100 points in four of their last five games, and lost four of five. Coach Brad Stevens alluded to changes to the rotation after the break.
At 40-and-19, Boston's obviously still very good, but the club has some work to do.
Hear from Al Horford on the team's troubles below.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Adam Kaufman reports