The Celtics are trying to downplay any notion that they are truly struggling right now. After scraping by to beat New Orleans, Jayson Tatum and head coach Joe Mazzulla had some things to say about the current state of the team.

While the Celtics have produced an excellent record so far this season, they haven't been the dominant force many expected as they defend their NBA title.

Almost a microcosm of the issues that have been plaguing the Celtics since mid-December, from it seeming like there was a lid on the basket for shots from beyond the arc to struggles to score and defensive lapses when it counts the most.