Loss to Hawks a Reminder of the Celtics' Biggest Foe - themselves

Boston will look for retribution tonight against Atlanta, which beat them 120-118 on Monday despite the Celtics leading by as many as 30 points.

Jayson Tatum will be among the Celtics looking for a little payback tonight when the Celtics face the Atlanta Hawks. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

This season has been one of the best ever for the Boston Celtics, which is saying a lot considering how the memories of greatness historically for this franchise stack up like a limitless memory card.

But on Monday, the Celtics found themselves on the wrong side of history in blowing a 30-point lead before losing 120-118 to the 10th-place Atlanta Hawks.

Having lost just 15 times all season (to 57 wins), the Celtics have no reason to panic. Throw in the fact that this was yet another game when Boston didn’t have their full squad made available, and you can see why the level of concern following the Hawks loss isn’t particularly high.

But the loss to the Hawks and one earlier this month to Cleveland only served as a reminder as to who Boston’s toughest opponent in East will be come playoff time - themselves.