Missed Rebounds: Celtics Just 2-7 After Blowout Losses Under Stevens
BOSTON (CBS) - Tuesday night's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers was a historic outing for the Boston Celtics, but for all the wrong reasons.
The 110-79, 31-point drubbing is tied for the biggest margin of defeat in Brad Stevens' tenure in Boston and the first time in 10 years Boston has been down by 40 points in a game.
Ouch.
It's safe to say Brad Stevens is unhappy about the sobering loss, but the Celtics have a chance to bounce back Wednesday night when they host the Utah Jazz.
Which brings up the question: how have the Celtics bounced back after blowout losses under Brad Stevens?
(We've defined a loss by 20 points or more as a blowout)
Blowout #1: November 19, 2013 vs. Houston Rockets: 109-85
Next Game: LOSS to San Antonio Spurs 104-93
After the Celtics' first loss by over 20 under Stevens, the C's couldn't rebound against the eventual NBA champion Spurs in San Antonio.
Blowout #2: December 22, 2013 vs. Indiana Pacers: 106-79
Next Game: WIN vs. Cleveland Cavaliers 103-100
The Celtics were trounced by Paul George and the Indiana Pacers, but they managed to pull out a win against the then LeBron-less Cavs behind a late Brandon Bass block.
Blowout #3: January 5, 2014 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: 119-96
Next Game: LOSS to Denver Nuggets 129-98
Two days after a 23-point beatdown by the Thunder, the Celtics played even worse, losing by 31 to the Denver Nuggets and Randy Foye's seven threes.
Blowout #4: January 7, 2014 vs. Denver Nuggets: 129-98
Next Game: LOSS to Los Angeles Clippers 111-105
The losing streak continued for the Celtics, as the two 20-point blowouts were followed by a close loss to the Clippers as Blake Griffin poured in 29 points.
Blowout #5: January 28, 2014 vs. New York Knicks: 114-88
Next Game: LOSS to Philadelphia 76ers 95-94
A chance to avenge a 26-point loss to the Knicks was halted when Evan Turner (now a Celtic) drained a game-winning buzzer beater to lift the 76ers.
Blowout #6: March 5, 2014 vs. Golden State Warriors: 108-88
Next Game: WIN vs. Brooklyn Nets 91-84
The only other bounce-back win for the Celtics in the 2013-14 campaign came against the Brooklyn Nets, despite committing a season-high 28 turnovers.
Blowout #7: March 12, 2014 vs. New York Knicks: 116-92
Next Game: LOSS to Phoenix Suns 87-80
The Celtics shot a season-low 30.9 percent from the field in losing to the Phoenix Suns after another beatdown given by Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks.
Blowout #8: April 2, 2014 vs. Washington Wizards: 118-92
Next Game: LOSS to Philadelphia 76ers 111-102
Boston couldn't avenge an April 2nd loss to Washington, losing to the league's worst team -- the 76ers -- by nine the following game.
Blowout #9: November 30, 2014 vs. San Antonio Spurs: 111-89
Next Game: LOSS to Atlanta Hawks 109-105
Earlier this season, the Celtics were steamrolled by the defending champion Spurs and couldn't bounce back against the Eastern Conference-leading Atlanta Hawks.
Blowout #10: March 3, 2015 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers: 110-79
Next Game: ???
History tells us not to expect much from the Celtics tonight, as they've gone an abysmal 2-7 in games following a 20-point loss under Brad Stevens.
"It's important for it to hurt; it better hurt. We'll find out a lot more about ourselves in 24 hours," Stevens told reporters after Tuesday night's embarrassment in Cleveland.
Can Stevens and the Celtics bounce back tonight and the rest of the season heading into the playoffs? Only time will tell.
