The Celtics have nine games remaining before the All-Star break, beginning with Monday night’s home matchup against the Houston Rockets at TD Garden. Included in that span are road games against Boston’s top two Eastern Conference challengers: at Cleveland on Feb. 4 and at the New York Knicks on Feb. 8.

The Boston Celtics have been one of the better teams this season but over the past few weeks, they have seemed to lack some focus. Like many teams before them who have won the NBA title, Boston is experiencing the fatigue of the regular season.

The Boston Celtics readily admit that the aftermath of their championship celebration has impacted their intensity this season. “We were a lion last season, and some games this year

Kristaps Porzingis said the Celtics have played like a 'house cat' at times this season coming off their title win last year.

The Boston Celtics star centre Kristaps Porzingis recently made an interesting analogy regarding the team's inconsistency this season.

Kristaps Porzingis helped the Boston Celtics beat the Dallas Mavericks by a score of 122-107. The 2018 NBA All-Star finished the win with 18 points, four rebounds, five assists and two blocks while shooting 6/12 from the field and 3/5 from the three-point range in 28 minutes of playing time.

Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis, right, shoots as Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) AP

The former Mavs big man left nearly three years ago, but hadn’t played a game at American Airlines Center until Saturday.

The Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics met on Saturday for the first time since the 2024 NBA Finals, with the Celtics coming away with a 122-107 win. This game saw Kristaps Porzingis on the floor in Dallas for the first time since he was traded