They showed extreme caution with a few injuries, played down to a few opponents and lost a few games they had no business losing. But they were waiting for the right moment to snap out of it and be the Celtics again. They were waiting for a chance to show they still had it.
What better chance to do so than on Thursday, in a clash with the Western Conference-leading San Antonio Spurs?
The Celtics beat the Spurs on Thursday night, 107-97, behind a strong second-half effort. In a potential preview of the NBA Finals, both teams were raring to go, and the C's came out on top.
The Spurs got four starters back from injury at Wednesday's practice. Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and Antonio McDyess all sat out Monday, but all returned against the Celtics. On their side, the C's got back Jermaine O'Neal, who was on the mend from knee surgery and hadn't played since Jan. 10.
Both teams were fully staffed, or at least reasonably close to it. So everyone got up for this one.
"When the Spurs and the Celtics play, both teams do," said C's coach Doc Rivers. "I don't think it was just them getting up to play us. They were happy to get back their guys; we got J.O.
"There are certain teams you play that have the exact same aspirations that we have. When you play a team like that, you really want to play them. That's just human nature. When we play Miami, and the Lakers, and Orlando, and Chicago, it's the same way. That's just how the games are."
The game was played at a fever pitch early, with both teams racing up and down the floor, moving the ball quickly and efficiently, and getting good looks. Both teams shot well over 50 percent in the first quarter. Tony Parker had 12 points for the Spurs; Paul Pierce had 11 for Boston.
It wasn't bad defense on anyone's part — it was just two teams working hard to outplay each other.
"I thought both teams wanted the game," Rivers said. "You could see it. It was a good, intense game, and it's nice to have some of those in the regular season. I just thought it was a team win for us. Everyone pitched in. I thought the biggest point of the game was the beginning — Kevin [Garnett] got two fouls, and we held our ground. That was terrific."
It was a big statement win for all the Celtics, but especially for Pierce, who has grown increasingly frustrated over the last few weeks with his team's inconsistent play. As the captain, he's had plenty to say lately, but against the Spurs in a meaningful game, he backed his words up with his actions.
Pierce finished with 21 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. It was his night to step up.
"You knew Paul would," Rivers said. "When you speak up, then you have to be the one. I thought Paul clearly carried us in the early going. When Kevin went out and we needed scoring, it was Paul. Paul stepped up early in the game and carried us. That's what he can do. That was wonderful."
Every year, the Celtics have one or two games like this in the final month of the season — they rally everyone together, they tighten the rotation and they give a playoff-caliber effort, just to prove they still can. It's a good tune-up for the real thing.
Last year, that game was Easter Sunday in Boston, when the Celtics beat LeBron James and the top-seeded Cavaliers at home. This year, the C's didn't even wait for the first of April. They made their statement early.
The Celtics have now proven what they're capable of at their best. In the months ahead, they'll look to replicate what they put together on Thursday night.
