Inexcusable loss highlights one of Celtics' big issues

Playing the second leg of a back-to-back on a road is tough, but the Celtics were matched up against a Pacers team that lost to the 19-41 Thunder on Friday. Not only did Indy lose that game, but OKC scored 129 points, whereas the C's put up 107.

On top of Boston's lack of offense, Indiana posted the highest total by a Celtics opponent since the Bucks put up 117 on Christmas. What's more, it's only the fifth time an opponent has put up 120 or more against the Celtics this season. Utah was the last one to do it before Sunday; that happened back on Dec. 3.

"I think we didn't come out as physical as we wanted to," Ime Udoka said. "What we showed at halftime was the lack of physicality and connection, allowing them to get in a rhythm and make some easy shots early. Then (it) kind of snowballed where they did hit some tough ones when we did defend better."

There it is again — lack of physicality. The Celtics just showed progress in that area on Saturday against Detroit, yet it was once again a problem on Sunday.

Why? Well, it may have had something to do with the fact the Pacers didn't want things to get physical. Unlike the Pistons, they wanted an uptempo game. Look no further than the scoring output to see how that worked out for Indy.

"They definitely are different from the Indiana that we're accustomed to, where (Domantas) Sabonis and those guys are a much more physical team that just tries to pound you and dominate you in the paint," Brown said. "This team that we just played tonight was just running non-stop. Definitely a different look from the Pacers that we're accustomed to."

This is why the Celtics need to impose their will against lesser opponents. Like the Pistons, the Pacers have talent. But Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield have not been with this team long. And Oshae Brissett hadn't been doing much this season before the trade deadline. Malcolm Brogdon has been hurt most of the season.

Plain and simple, the current Pacers roster hasn't been together or in these roles long enough to outscore a team like the Celtics by 20-plus.

"We can't be surprised. Teams have been listening to what we've been doing over the last few weeks, and we got to be ready to take teams' best shots," Brown said. "Indiana came out, and I don't think we stopped anybody. I think all of their guys, including Brissett, were red-hot from the field, just making everything."

Everyone knows the Celtics are a defense-first team. Even when analysts look at their changes on the offensive end, they're seeing how it's impacting Boston's defense. When that's such an important part of a team's DNA, taking a physical approach seems to go hand-in-hand. And taking a physical approach usually leads to seizing control of the game's tempo — which would prevent track meets, like Sunday's game, from happening.

The Celtics can't allow other teams to dictate the tone of games, plain and simple. Sure, they can win in different ways, but trying to win on their terms might make life easier.

"We'll get it back. No reason to sulk. No reason to complain," Brown said. "We have some big games coming up, let's look forward to those."

And what's coming up for the Celtics could be a very tough week depending on what the Nets look like on Sunday. Not the easiest of times to work on that whole setting the tone problem Boston has right now.