(Photo: Getty Images)
BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- The Celtics suffered a disappointing 111-120 loss to The Spurs on New Year's Eve, and Boston coach Brad Stevens blames San Antonio's physicality. "46-point third quarter... they were tremendous," Stevens said. "It started with them just physically overpowering us. Getting to the rim, clearly, like a mindset of 'We're going to go to the rim and make you stop us.'"
The C's wrapped up a 9-5 December with a disappointing 1-2 trip that could've easily been 0-2 if not for a big, late-game rally in Memphis.
Boston will turn the page to January and welcome the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight at 8:00 PM for the first of four at the Garden.
The Celtics beat Minnesota to open December behind Gordon Hayward's 30 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists, but the former All-Star's been far more pedestrian in 11 games since, averaging fewer than 9 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists.
The Green open 2019 at 21-and-15, fifth in the East with a five-and-a-half game deficit.
Kyrie Irving injured both eyes in the loss to the Spurs, including a scratched retina in his left eye. He'll likely need goggles when he suits up next.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Adam Kaufman reports: