Watch CBS News

Ainge: Celtics Have No Room For Error Against More-Talented Cavaliers Team

The Celtics are in the playoffs, but based on the way Danny Ainge has looked during the first two games when shown on TV, the team president does not appear to be having a great time.

"I actually am enjoying the games, for the most part. But I do not like the score of the games, usually," Ainge said Thursday on Toucher & Rich. "I am enjoying them, I will say that. But there's times when the game is not as pleasant as it could be."

From the outside, it's been hard not to notice that the officials have called the games rather favorably for the Cavaliers. What has Ainge thought of the officiating through two games?

"Oh no, no, no," Ainge said. "You don't want to know the answer to that."

Ainge did note that he's enjoyed seeing the normally reserved Brad Stevens show some fire from the Boston bench.

"I will say that I did actually enjoy seeing Brad a little bit animated. It was fun to see that," Ainge said.

As for the series, Ainge did not deny that the Cavaliers are simply a better basketball team. Because of that, he said his team essentially needs to play a perfect game in order to win.

"You've heard this term before, I've used this a lot -- we just don't have the room for error, because those guys have two great players who can create offense at a fairly easy rate that you have to send more than one person to, and it opens up court and it opens up the glass," Ainge said. "So I think that we just have less room for error. This is a team that's more talented than us, and we have to play more perfectly. I'm hoping that we can tonight."

Ainge noted that shooting 38 percent from the field, like the Celtics did in Game 2, is going to make it awfully tough to win.

"As far as their effort and preparation and everything, I think it's been great," Ainge said. "As far as shooting and rebounding, I think we need to improve. But I think we can improve tonight and in the next few games."

Ainge also discusses Rajon Rondo's issues in Dallas, Paul Pierce being in his element in the playoffs with Washington, and more. Listen to the full interview below:

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.