Spurs 111 - Celtics 89: C's Lose Fourth Straight

Photo: Getty Images

The Boston Celtics came in the TD Garden losers of their last three (six overall at home), looking to snap the defending NBA champion's six-game winning streak. After 36 minutes of decent play between both teams, it was all San Antonio in the fourth quarter. In the end the Spurs became winners of seven straight after a 111-89 victory over the C's

Spurs Game Preview: The Champs are in town

photo: Soobum Im (USA TODAY)

In their only visit to Boston this season, the champion San Antonio Spurs, kick off its four-game road trip hoping to stretch their six game winning streak to seven.

In a crowded Western Conference, the Spurs, 11-4, sit at fifth. After a 1-3 start, San Antonio won nine of their last 10 games while competing in the league's toughest division.

The NBA's Southwest Division is home to four of the top six teams in the Western Conference.

Rondo blames himself for loss against Bulls

Photo: Boston Globe

Rajon Rondo missed the biggest free throws of the game for the Celtics in yesterday's matinee against the Chicago Bulls at TD Garden.

Friday's 109-102 loss to the Bulls was the Celtics' ninth of the season. After the C's blew a 16-point lead, Rondo had a chance to give his team a two-point advantage but instead missed a pair of freebees in the last minute of the game. Celtics have now dropped six of their last seven games.

"It's very frustrating, in particular this game," Rondo said. "If I make my free throws, I think we win the game."

Podcast: Celtics Lose another Close one to the Bulls

The Celtics (4-9) lose another close one at the TD Garden and fall to 2-6 at home. The Chicago Bulls (10-6) spoiled Thanksgiving for C's fans, winning 109-102. Derrick Rose finished with 21 points, and Jared Sullinger added 23 points and 10 rebounds to lead all scorers. Hear the Causeway Street Blog writers discuss what went wrong for Boston who have lost their third consecutive straight, as this is their first postgame podcast episode!

Bulls 109 - Celtics 102: Chicago outscores Boston in the Fourth Quarter

photo: Winslow Townson (USA Today)

It's going to be a long season if the Celtics continue to struggle in the fourth quarter.

The Celtics, who had a six-point lead heading into the last quarter of the game, were outscored by the Chicago Bulls, 24-11, in the last 12 minutes. After a Jeff Green layup, the Celtics took a two-point lead, 102-100, with 2:29 left to go in the game.

Chicago's Jimmy Butler then tied the game at the free throw line, 102-102.

Smart Limits Himself in Practice

Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart returned to his first on-the-court session on Wednesday afternoon. According to the team, the rookie removed himself from the middle of practice. His status for tomorrow's game against the Chicago Bulls remains up in the air. But the C's will meet again later today for more practice time before a decision is made.

Smart Looking to Work his way Back

The Boston Celtics enjoyed a two-day break from the practice court after a disappointing 94-88 loss to the Trail Blazers on Sunday night. Despite the C's best defensive outing of the season while holding Portland to 43 percent shooting and forcing 16 turnovers, including 12 steals on the night, it was the Celtics' offense that let the victory slip away.

Bass & Green Drawing Trade Interest

The Boston Celtics are 4-8 so far this season, and technically this is still considered another rebuilding year. You can't help but wonder who could be on their way out in the next two months or so. While most believe that Rajon Rondo is the player teams are inquiring most about, rumor has it that forwards Jeff Green and Brandon Bass are attracting attention as well around the league.

Blazers 94 - Celtics 88: C's Lose Second Straight, Winless Against West

Boston - The Celtics were looking to celebrate Thanksgiving early this year with their first win over a Western Conference team. Instead it became the C's best defensive game of the season and one of the worst offensive outings at the same time. Despite Portland only shooting 43 percent for the evening, the Blazers held on in the fourth to a 94-88 victory to extend their streak to seven consecutive wins.

Celtics host the red hot Trail Blazers

The Northwest division leading Portland Trail Blazers (9-3) enter TD Garden with the best scoring starting lineup in the NBA.

Fresh off of their 105-87 blowout win against the Chicago Bulls, the Trail Blazers come to town in hopes of winning their seventh consecutive game. Much like the Celtics, all Portland starters average in double-digits. But all-stars LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard is what makes them Western Conference contenders.

Both players have been magnificent this season. They've led the way early on and haven't shown any signs of slowing down. The Trail Blazers have won eight of their last nine games.

Faverani: '100 percent better'

Vitor Faverani is on his way back.

He spoke to reporters Saturday and says that he is "100 percent better."

Faverani, who underwent surgery on his left knee last month, hasn't played a single game this season but has been showing positive signs lately.

Although there's no timetable set for Faverani's return, he says his left knee feels much better.

Grizzlies 117 - Celtics 100: Gasol dominates C's, ties career high

Memphis proved why they have the best record in the league. The Grizzlies outplayed the Celtics and had no problem scoring in the paint when they wanted to.

Marc Gasol reached a career-high 32 points and scored with ease down low against the Celtics. Memphis' power forward, Jon Leuer also had no problem scoring in the paint, he finished with 19 points to go with his 7 rebounds, in just 22 minutes.

For someone who averages 3.6 points per game, he made a great first impression against the Celtics.

C's Look to Match Grizzlies' Physical Play

The 4-6 Boston Celtics are in Memphis tonight taking on the Grizzlies; who have the NBA's best record at 10-2 and are 6-0 at home. The C's are coming off a much needed 101-90 win in Philadelphia on Wednesday night, snapping a three-game losing streak.

But beating Memphis will be easier said than done.

Celtics 101 - Sixers 90: C's Snap Losing Streak in Philly

Philadelphia - The Celtics were well aware that they couldn't come into the Wells Fargo Center expecting a guaranteed victory. Despite the 76ers losing their first 10 games, Boston had to pull together and play as a team, especially in the fourth quarter to snap their three-game losing streak. After a low-scoring first half the C's held on to win, 101-90 Wednesday night, extending the Sixers win-less streak to 11.

Is Smart the Missing Link?

The 3-6 Boston Celtics are in the city of 'brotherly love' tonight as they look to pick themselves back up and snap a three-game losing streak against the 0-10 Philadelphia 76ers. The C's are coming off a home stretch that saw a depleted Oklahoma City Thunder team, the newly revamped Cleveland Cavaliers and the run and gun Phoenix Suns come into the TD Garden and pretty much steal victories.

Rondo's Still a Work in Progress

On Monday night at the TD Garden, the Celtics lost their third consecutive game by a score of 118-114. The Phoenix Suns were able to score six straight unanswered points in about 38 seconds. With 19.7 ticks left in the game, the C's not only missed two-back-to-back 3-point attempts but they also missed three straight free-throws in the loss.

Suns 118 - Celtics 114: C's get Eclipsed Once Again

Boston - The Celtics let another victory slip from their grasp, as Eric Bledsoe and Goran Dragic stole the game in the final minute of the fourth quarter. After a classic back and forth at the TD Garden throughout most of the evening, the Phoenix Suns were able to hold on to a 118-114 victory, handing the C's their third consecutive lost.

Podcast: Do the Celtics Need a go-to-Scorer?

We're back in this recent episode discussing the Celtics recent struggle of trying to close out close games. After beating the Chicago Bulls over a week ago, the C's have gone 0-2 while blowing big leads to the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Cleveland Cavilers, both winnable games at the TD Garden. The question remains, with five players so far this season averaging double figures, does Boston need a go-to-scorer especially down the stretch of the fourth quarter? Plus we take a look back at what went wrong in Brad Steven's final play vs the Cavs from this past Friday night. To hear all our podcast episodes, you can follow us here: SoundCloud.com/CausewayStreetPodcast

Fourth Quarter woes explain Celtics 3-5 record

No matter what, Celtics need to play better basketball in the final 12 minutes of a game.

People can blame the final play of Friday night's game against the Cleveland Cavs for the loss, but in reality Celtics didn't lose the game on the final possession. They lost it in the fourth quarter.

Although the game ended with Rondo fumbling the ball in the closing seconds, Rajon decided he was going to take that shot before he lost possession and didn't get the shot off.

Cavs 122 - Celtics 121: C's Lose to LeBron, Cleveland

Boston - For a brief moment it felt like old times at TD Garden. A great home crowd watched their Celtics beat up on LeBron James and the Cavs during a scoring outburst in the third quarter, only to let a double-digit lead lead slip away once again. Kyrie Irving's 15 points in the final 12 minutes helped put away Boston for good in a 122-121 Cleveland victory Friday night.

A Look at LeBron vs the Celtics

Tonight marks the return of LeBron James at the TD Garden for the first time as a Cleveland Cavalier since May of 2010. In the four seasons since the 'King' decided to take his talents to south beach where he led the Miami Heat to four straight Finals appearances, while winning two titles and a couple of league MVP's, James will go against the Celtics for the first time this season. In his second go-around with the Cavs, James is set to play in a building where Celtics fans have always tried and maybe at times even succeeded in getting the best of him

Smart Opens up About his Injury

It's been nearly a week since Celtics fans all witnessed the sixth overall draft pick; Marcus Smart get carted off in a stretcher at the TD Garden. The rookie has finally opened up about what was going through his mind that night when he hit the parquet in what appeared to be far worse than what anyone could have imagined

Thunder 109 - Celtics 94: C's Lose to Depleted OKC

Boston – It was only four days ago that the Celtics had won back-to-back games. After a big win in Chicago without their captain Rajon Rondo in the lineup, the C’s looked destined to continue their winning streak at the TD Garden. The home team opened the game with an 18-3 run against a depleted Oklahoma City Thunder, only to let the lead slip away in the second half. In the end, Boston was on the other side of a confusing 109-94 defeat at the realm of Reggie Jackson and Anthony Marrow.

Podcast: C's Through the First Six Games

The Celtics are 3-3 and the our writers are back with another episode of the Causeway Street Podcast! Listen to what they had to say about Jeff Green, Rajon Rondo and Avery Bradley as the new offense is the reason behind why the C's are scoring over 106 points per game (second in the NBA). After big back-to-back wins at the TD Garden and on the road in Chicago, could Boston be a playoff bound team in a weak Eastern Conference? Hear this and more in our most recent discussion. To tune in to our podcast, make sure to follow us at: SoundCloud.com/CausewayStreetPodcast

Is This the Year of Jeff Green?

The Boston Celtics are 3-3 on the season, and are coming off of back-to-back wins at the Garden and in Chicago this past weekend. The team is currently second in the NBA in points per game at 106.3 behind first place Toronto at 107.4 points. Plus they are currently top-five in field-goals made, shooting over 47 percent. If you're wondering why all these numbers are being thrown at you, it's because the C's are surprising the league by scoring at a rapid rate.

The man behind this new Celtics offense is none other than Jeff Green.

Celtics 106 - Bulls 101: Turner, Olynyk lead short-handed C's past Bulls

A short-handed Celtics team entered the United Center Saturday on the second night of a back-to-back with hopes of beating one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference.

Chicago was without Derrick Rose, and fell behind early against the Celtics. Boston, without point guards Rajon Rondo and Marcus Smart, handled the Bulls by holding onto a double-digit lead throughout most of the game.

Rondo & Smart out Tonight Against the Bulls

Rajon Rondo did not make the trip with his teammates to Chicago to take on the Bulls tonight. According to the Celtics' twitter account, the point guard will have a small procedure done to remove a screw that was put in during his surgery that repaired his bone fracture in his left hand. The captain should not miss any additional time beyond this weekend.

Celtics 101 - Pacers 98: C's Snap Their Losing Streak, Smart Injured

Boston- The Celtics came into TD Garden having lost their last three games. Another double-digit lead lost before halftime, and after rookie guard Marcus Smart rolled his left ankle with 11:03 remaining in the fourth, the C's decided to climb on Jared Sullinger's back to hold on to a 101-98 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Friday night.

Pierce says he felt regret last season

After 15 years in Boston, Paul Pierce is now a Washington Wizard, his second team in just two seasons. After a tough 12 months in Brooklyn, the 17-year veteran became a free agent for the first time in his career last summer before signing a $11 million, two-year deal to move to D.C.

But of course how can he ever forget where it all started in 1998? 'The Truth' opened up recently in a brief interview with Sports Illustrated about his time with the Nets, his lone year in Brooklyn and how much he missed where he thought he would retire one day as a Celtic.

Read some of Pierce's responses below;

Long Live the 'Triple-Double King'

Rajon Rondo sits on his throne as the lone 'triple-double king' of the NBA. On Wednesday night at the TD Garden, he reminded us all that he is still at the top of the mountain when it came to notching his first of the season and 30th of his career when he finished the evening with 13 points, 10 rebounds and 15 assists.

Raptors 110 - Celtics 107: Turnovers Spoil Great Night for C's

Another close game, yet another loss for the Celtics as they fall 110-107 to the Toronto Raptors at TD Garden. The Celtics sink to 1-3 with the defeat tonight and are having a lot of trouble playing a full 48 minute game.

Its hard to imagine how the Celtics lost this one tonight. Six players, included the whole starting lineup scored in double figures while Kelly Olynyk, and Jared Sullinger notched double-doubles.

Mavericks 118 - Celtics 113: C's 31-point comeback comes up short in Dallas

After coming back from being down 31 points, the Celtics were on the verge of making the biggest comeback in franchise history.

Celtics cut Dallas' lead to one-point but fell short in the last minute of the game.

Avery Bradley finished with a career-high 32 points. His 23 second half points helped lead a comeback against Dallas. Jeff Green had a game-high 35 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Green was the only consistent player in the first half, he had 18 points at halftime and continued the attack in the second half.

Dallas came out of the gate red hot. They shot the ball well, going 10-for-14 from three and 63 percent from the field. Chandler Parsons missed only six out of the 20 shots that he took. He finished the game with 29 points and went 4-for-5 from the three point line.

Celtics face a tough November schedule

The Celtics will be facing some of the league's best teams throughout the month of November. It won't be easy. But by the end of the month, the Celtics should start winning a collection of games in December to even out their losses. Take a look at some of the teams Boston will face this month:

Rockets 104 - Celtics 90: Houston dominates, C's shoot an all-time low from 3-Point line

If the Celtics' season-opening win Wednesday elevated your expectations for the season, last night was your reality check.

Celtics were outmatched by the Rockets in Saturday's 104-90 loss.

The Rockets were in control from the very beginning, while the Celtics never made it a close game. En route to a 37-point first quarter, the Rockets led 22-8, halfway through.

Celtics exercise options on Sullinger, Olynyk and Zeller

The Celtics exercised contract options on three of their big men this week.

Forward Jared Sullinger, and centers Kelly Olynyk and Tyler Zeller are all signed through the 2015-16 season.

C's Focus on Howard & the Rockets

The Celtics have had a few days to not only enjoy Wednesday night's home opener with a win, but to get back to work and figure out how they can get their second victory of the season over the Houston Rockets tonight at the Toyota Center.

Boston beat the Nets 121-105 three-days ago without having to worry about Brooklyn's best scorer; Brook Lopez in the middle (was out due to a foot injury). This time around they face probably one of the only 'true centers' left in the league, and arguably the best post-up player in the game in Dwight Howard. If the Celtics are going to have a chance tonight, their top priority is to limit Howard's touches in the post, and keep him off the boards on the other end.