The Celtics have looked like legitimate threats to make it out of the Eastern Conference for weeks and Monday’s loss only reaffirmed that reality. Boston’s front office focus now deserves to shift to the present just as much as the future with the trade deadline approaching and the Celtics looking worthy of upgrades.

Today in Boston Celtics history, Bailey Howell was born in Middleton, Tennessee in 1937. Howell played for the Celtics for a total of four seasons between 1966 and 1970, and was picked up by the Detroit Pistons with the second overall pick of the 1959 NBA Draft after playing his NCAA basketball at Mississippi State.

Boston Celtics head coach says he relies on faith to navigate the NBA originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Tobias Harris scored 25 points and Jaylen Brown missed a jumper just before the buzzer, allowing the Detroit Pistons to hold on for a 104-103 win over the Boston Celtics in a matchup of teams with the best records in the Eastern Conference.

"I'm really happy for him. I think for him, it started in the offseason with the way he approached it," said the Celtics coach.

The Celtics need some additional talent at the center position, or someone who can play both the four and the five. Of course, Mazzulla must also prepare for the eventual return of Jayson Tatum, whether that be this season or next. Tatum is currently sidelined due to an Achilles tendon injury.