Celtics Need to?Get Our Swing Back? After Overtime Loss to Knicks

Boston is coming off two tough losses -- a 28-point home loss to Brooklyn and an overtime double overtime defeat of the Knicks. Despite these setbacks, they remain half a game behind Milwaukee for the Eastern Conference lead.

What can the Celtics do to improve? Obviously, they need their swagger back.

We still got time

Boston hasn't been playing like the defending Eastern Conference champions they once were, and it hasn't been easy. After blowing two big leads in their last two games, they sit 1.5 games behind the Bucks in the East.

Coach Joe Mazzulla hasn't lost faith in his team despite their recent slump and believes they still have time to regain their swagger. Even with such a setback, Mazzulla remains upbeat about their prospects for success.

They had a chance to win in the second overtime, but Al Horford missed an important game-tying 3-pointer with just seconds remaining, ultimately leading to Boston's 131-129 loss. Jayson Tatum had an amazing night with 40 points for Boston, but they were no match for Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley who scored a career high 38 points and made an amazing one-handed flip over Jaylen Brown in the first OT to tie it.

We’re just tired

This season, the Celtics have lost a lot of games - and it appears their woes are only getting worse in the second half. Their margin for error is shrinking, their shots are missing and they're losing to teams they should easily defeat by a wide margin.

One of the primary causes for this is that Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are both experiencing fatigue in their top two players. With fatigue being such a hurdle to overcome during playoffs, it will be especially challenging.

Additionally, this is leading to fatigue on the bench. Not ideal for a team striving to win the Eastern Conference and make an intense playoff run.

Last week, head coach Ime Udoka acknowledged that the Celtics' poor decision-making in Game 5 could have been due to fatigue. He hopes his team learns from this summer and reevaluates its minutes load for next season.

We’re bored

After returning to Boston and hitting some impressive shots from Isaiah Thomas, the Celtics found their rhythm once more.

The big question remains: Does this team possess enough confidence to make it all the way to playoffs?

On a recent podcast, Mazzulla noted that building consistency over an extended season can be challenging. One of the most crucial elements to doing so is maintaining proper focus on the essential tasks in any given circumstance.

It can be a struggle for starters to stay energetic and focused during intense battles, but it also comes down to making sure their bench has an opportunity to shine.

Many factors must be taken into account, but if the team can regain some swagger back it will reap rewards in the end. As Mazzulla said, winning a basketball game is impressive enough as it is, but making sure the process is enjoyable instead of just another chore before postseason play is much more beneficial.

We’re losing a lot of games

It's no secret that this Boston team has tremendous potential. They swept the Brooklyn Nets in the first round and shocked both defending champion Milwaukee Bucks and top-seeded Miami Heat during the playoffs. It appears they may have something special in store for themselves moving forward.

They won't win every game, but their young but experienced team is a formidable force in the East. Coupled with a burning desire to avenge last year's Finals loss, this combination makes them one of the strongest forces in the region.

Their confidence has waned recently, however, as evidenced by their overtime loss to the Knicks on Sunday.

After blowing a 14-point lead and forcing double overtime in an exciting game at TD Garden, the Celtics fell 131-129 to the hot Knicks.

This loss marks their second straight setback this season; this is their longest losing streak since Jan. 19 and 21, indicating a serious issue.