Celtics Head Coach Brad Stevens explains Boston’s loss to the Nets, what needs to change

The team’s transition defense in particular took a step back Friday night.

The Boston Celtics may be looking back at their loss to the Brooklyn Nets on the road on Friday night with regret given the game was well within their grasp for large chunks of the contest — and because better overall attention to detail and energy could have won the day.

In a game decided by just 5 points that saw Brooklyn outscore the Celtics 32 – 3 in fastbreak points, better defense and better communication and anticipation might have been enough to tilt the momentum in Boston’s direction enough to have stolen a win. Against a banged-up Nets franchise or not, an opportunity to pick up a win against one of the toughest opponents remaining on their 2020-21 schedule.

“We have to play with better pace up the floor, there’s no question about it,” related head coach Brad Stevens after the loss.