Expect the unexpected.

Kevin Garnett's performance in Boston not enough
in a losing effort against the Houston Rockets.
(Brian Babineau/NBAE/Getty Images)

Who'da thunk it? Who would've thought a team like the Celtics would be in a slump like this. After that whole 19-game winning streak, they lost to their West Coast nemesis, the LA Lakers on Christmas day. Losing to the Lakers was bad enough but lose to the Warriors after that? Come on! The only win they got before 2008 ended was at Sacramento. Then in 2009, the slump continues.

Just what is up with the defending champs these days? They've been losing on the road constantly. I mean seriously, one of the toughest, most defensive teams in the L and yet they lose to teams that they could easily beat any day. Back in the East, they got whooped by the Knicks and the Bobcats. Fortunately for them, they got a win over the Wizards. Back home in Boston, it's the same story yet again.

Their losing stride went on in huge proportions. The Rockets blasted the Celtics out of the TD Banknorth Garden to the moon, so to speak. It seemed like a close game by looking at the score 89-85 but the Rockets found a loophole in the Celtics defense. It's either that or Yao Ming simply played good basketball on that game minus T-Mac in action. Speaking of T-Mac, he's obviously pleased of the Rockets' win against the C's but lately, he's been upset of himself perhaps due to his injury prone career.

Yao Ming was indeed the reason why the Rockets pulled an upset in Beantown. Played 36 minutes and chalked up 26 points and 8 rebounds, merely 2 boards shy of a double-double. Despite Kevin Garnett's 18 point performance, it wasn't enough to salvage a win at home. Paul Pierce lead the Celtics with 26 points while Ray Allen chipped in with 13 points. Another Rockets player had a big night. Rockets guard Aaron Brooks scoring 19 off the bench.

And I thought they (the Celtics) could somehow end their losing streak at home. I was wrong. Damn wrong! I don't know what the real score is on the Celtics' sub-par performance as of late but whatever happened to "Ubuntu" anyway? Seems to me the Celtics haven't been taking their opponents seriously. Sure, they are the defending champs and I'm one of their fans here in the Philippines but they have lost their consistency. They haven't been playing as a solid "team" and they are on the verge self-destructing if they don't plan on playing like champions.

The Celtics need a lot of adjustments both on their offense and defense. Stephon Marbury is not their answer to their problems. Coach Doc Rivers should probably go back to that playbook he used when they had that 19-game win streak. I know that their win streak would snap eventually but this losing streak is something that I never saw coming. They've already lost their spunk and swagger. Their pride has been tarnished already. Now, every team in the L have gained confidence and are also looking to pull an upset on the C's.

Whatever is making the Celtics lose, they should do something about it. Their next game is on the road against the Cleveland Cavaliers. LeBron James and Co. are dead set on protecting their homecourt against the visiting Celtics. The C's better start playing like defending champions and not let a team 1-up them again. Time for the brotherhood to step up and play as a cohesive unit if they want to go back to their winning ways. They shouldn't settle anything for less. To be one, it takes 5.