Brad Stevens Appreciative Of Boston Fans, Hopes Celtics Can Extend Series Sunday Afternoon
BOSTON (CBS) - The Celtics find themselves down 0-3 to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, but it's certainly not for lack of trying. The C's have played LeBron James & Co. tough, but so far it has not resulted in a win.
Boston is now one game away from elimination, or four games away from advancing if that's the way you want to look at it. For Celtics head coach Brad Stevens, who joined 98.5 The Sports Hub's Zolak & Bertrand for his weekly interview Friday afternoon, the approach is the same.
"It's going back, it's reviewing, trying to clean up mistakes that we made to try to, you know, again get closer to getting over the hump, and hopefully ultimately doing that," said Stevens.
Boston has kept the contests close, but every time they appear primed to pull the comeback Cleveland comes roaring back. For Stevens' squad, they haven't showed the most poise in these crucial situations.
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"It's been two eight-point [losses] in a row. In all three games we've had moments where we've played really well, and in all three games we've had really big runs against us at different times that have killed us," said Stevens.
"There are things we can do to play better, but I'm sure [Cleveland] feels the same way. We have to be as on top of our game for 48 minutes as we possibly can, as you know, because these one-to-two minute lapses can often result in 8 to 10-0 runs."
Brad Stevens has coached some big games before, two National Championships just to name a few. The former college coach of the year was very impressed by the TD Garden faithful Thursday night, his first ever home game as head coach of the Celtics.
"Our environment was unbelievable. Our environment was just terrific. It was amazing. I wish we could have gotten nine points better so that everybody could have left a little happier."
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Stevens appreciates the love his team has gotten from the fans all season, and hopes to keep the series going when the two teams tip off again on Sunday.
"They have been so great every time we've been in that building. Obviously last night was phenomenal. I don't know if you guys were in there, but it's special to get a chance to coach here. It's special for these guys to get a chance to play here. I think it speaks to the city and the passion for its sports teams, that some of the greatest competitors in our game talk about how special it is to play here," said Stevens.
"The fans are doing all that they can. We're going to do our best to play a little bit better on Sunday so we can extend this thing."
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