Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The Celtics have suffered back-to-back losses vs. the Hawks and former NBA guard Jay Williams and ex-NBA center Kendrick Perkins discussed whether it’s cause for concern.

The Celtics (57-16) currently sport the NBA’s best record and appear as if they’re headed for the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. But there have been the recent speedbumps.

After all, the Hawks (34-39) are the No. 10 seed in the Eastern Conference and haven’t had injured star guard Trae Young in either win over Boston.

“(The Celtics are) the No. 1 seed. It’s human nature for this team to look ahead,” Williams said on ESPN’s First Take. “Because they know it’s go time.”

He added a couple of losses to the Hawks in the regular season aren’t really that big of a deal.

“Let Atlanta get in that eight spot,” Williams said. “I think we’ll see a different Celtics team.”

Perkins strongly disagreed, saying that “it’s how this happening” that is cause for concern. 

Meanwhile, Boston coach Joe Mazzulla summed up two losses to the Hawks in four days by suggesting that, hey man, they too are NBA players. And maybe they’re better than your everyday play-in squad.

“That’s a really good team,” Mazzulla told reporters.

You can watch Williams and Perkins debate the Celtics and any issues they may be having in the video below.

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