Celtics have hit a slump in the road

INDIANAPOLIS -- ''I don't know."

Those three words were something of a refrain in the Celtics' locker room following back-to-back losses in Miami and Orlando. Against the Heat Thursday, the Celtics squandered a 25-point lead. Against the Magic Friday, they missed shots and committed costly turnovers in what was a sloppy game on both sides. Against the Magic, the Celtics shot 33 percent -- their lowest shooting percentage for a game in coach Doc Rivers's tenure.

The Celtics didn't know how to explain either performance. They didn't know how a team seemingly ready for a winning streak and strong playoff push a couple of weeks ago could fall so flat so fast. They didn't know what to do to solve the inconsistency that has plagued them throughout the season.

In every way, the Celtics arrived in Indianapolis at a loss, staring at the possibility of going winless on this four-game trip. The last time that happened was April 4-10, 2004 (vs. Washington, Miami, New Orleans, Atlanta).

''I don't know anymore," said Delonte West. ''I've been trying to find a reason all year for what's going on. Right now, all you can say is we're being outplayed. That's all it comes down to.

''Most of the time we're being outplayed in the fourth quarter, late in games. We've got to make a concentrated effort on doing all the little things throughout the course of the game, so we don't put so much pressure on ourselves late in games.

''This late in the season, we just have to say we're an inconsistent basketball team. The season is not over, but, at this point, we're just inconsistent at what we do every night.

''We ain't going to make any dramatic changes from here until the end of April. This is the Boston Celtics for this year and we've got to find a way to win games, gut them out."

It was a nice speech by West, but one better delivered at the beginning of the season rather than near the end. But it just goes to show how far back the Celtics have slipped on this trip. Judging by some of their recent remarks -- about youth and inexperience and learning lessons -- it seems as if the Celtics have returned to a training camp mind-set.

This is a team with talent, though not a talented team. The difference is being able to bring confidence and consistency to the floor from everyone working together, not just from one individual. It is no coincidence that the Celtics' struggles almost always mirror those of Paul Pierce.

Even with the addition of Wally Szczerbiak and the emergence of Ryan Gomes, the Celtics still need Pierce to carry much of the load. But it is unfair to expect him to put up 30-plus points every night as he did in February. Whether he admits it or not, he is banged up and fatigued from shouldering the offensive load all season.

''We have to learn from our mistakes now," said Pierce. ''We get a day of rest. Hopefully, we can bounce back against Indiana. That is our goal before we go back home for a couple of games. ''We cannot get discouraged. We have shown a lot of resiliency throughout the year and I expect us to do that."

Still, resiliency cannot solve all the Celtics' problems. With 16 games left, they remain the only team in the league yet to win three games in a row.

The Celtics raise their level of play to compete with elite teams like the Heat, then lower it and lose to teams like the Magic. On any given night, Rivers doesn't know what to expect. That was as true in November as it is now. The Celtics may yet finish the season without a three-game winning streak, never mind the six-, seven-, or eight-game streak they need to make the playoffs.

They knew March would be a difficult month, with 16 games in 29 days, including eight on the road. But after a 3-1 swing through the West at the end of February, the Celtics believed they had put their road woes behind them. That is not the case. If not for an overtime buzzer-beater by Pierce at Washington, Boston would be without a win this month.

The loss in Orlando dropped the Celtics to 8-25 away from TD Banknorth Garden this season. And now for some more bad news: Half of the remaining games this season take place on the road.