Brad Stevens “encouraged” by Monday’s win, looking forward to two days of practice

BRIGHTON - Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens said on Wednesday afternoon that the team’s win in New Orleans was “certainly encouraging”. At the focal point of that win was guard Marcus Smart, who received the start due to Jaylen Brown’s lower back injury.

“The way we played the other night certainly was encouraging,” said Stevens on Wednesday from the Auerbach Center. “As I said on the radio earlier, the problem with starting Marcus Smart is you can’t bring his energy off the bench. He’s a valuable guy in both of those areas for the same reason. Does all the intangible stuff you need to have success.”

Stevens added that he hopes the Celtics can build off of their recent road trip starting today with the team’s first practice of the week. “Today will be a pretty good, solid, competitive practice. Probably one of the more longer, or more live practices that you’ll have during the course of a regular season.

In discussing the Celtics’ practice plans, Stevens said he was able to watch plenty of film in preparation for today, including some subpar preseason footage. “The positive that I took away from getting ready for today’s practice was watching a couple of our preseason games. We really stunk then.”

The Celtics will also practice tomorrow afternoon before facing the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night at TD Garden. That game tips-off at 7:00 PM EST.

Check out everything Stevens had to say before Wednesday’s practice below: