Brad Stevens tells Zolak & Bertrand the Celtics will need to ‘answer the bell’ offensively against the Nets

With their win over the Washington Wizards in Tuesday night’s play-in game, the Celtics are set to face the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the NBA playoffs. It’ll be a tall task for the C’s as they face one of the most talented rosters assembled in the modern era, and coach Brad Stevens is well aware of the challenge.

“We’ll do our best to get ready for Brooklyn,” Stevens told reporters after the game Tuesday night. “They’re the best of the best. As a fan of the NBA, it’s hard to see those guys losing. We’re going to have to play great and play great together.” Some characterized the comment as evidence of Stevens and the Celtics having a defeated mindset.

Appearing on Zolak & Bertrand Wednesday afternoon, Stevens put that argument to bed.

“Hell no. We’re not built like that over here,” Stevens said when asked if he was ‘waiving the white flag’ as he prepares for the series. “We’re excited for the challenge. We know that it’s going to be a great challenge.”

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  "This team's as good as it gets," Stevens said, evaluating the Nets. "I think as you look at it, like you have to play exceptionally well on both ends to win the game."
  
  Inconsistency has plagued the Celtics all season, but Stevens recognizes there won't be room for mistakes in this series. "You just have to be dialed in your margin for error super low," he said.
  
  The key to that, Stevens believes, is for the team to not get discouraged - especially on the defensive end of the floor.
  
  "I think one of the ways that you have to defend is you have to pick your poison," he explained. "There's going to be tip your cap moments and you've got to move on and you've got to go down and score at the other end. If you're an inefficient offense in this series, there's probably no chance - You're going to have to answer the bell on several occasions after what you felt like were really good defensive possessions."

You can listen to Zolak & Bertrand’s full conversation with Brad Stevens below…

Click here for 98.5 The Sports Hub’s complete coverage of the Celtics.

Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.