Brad Stevens of the Boston Celtics talks during a post game press conference on January 26, 2014. (Photo by Steve Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

BOSTON (CBS) – Celtics coach Brad Stevens called in Friday afternoon and talked with Andy Gresh and Scott Zolak prior to tonight’s game against Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and the rest of the Brooklyn Nets.

Pierce and Garnett are making their second return to Boston this season, however KG will not be playing as he is dealing with a back injury.

Stevens talked about some recent performances that he was both happy and upset with.

Specifically, on Wednesday when the Steph Curry led Warriors came to town and beat the Celtics up pretty good.

“I think Wednesday was more of an anomaly than not,” Stevens told Gresh & Zo. “I think for the most part this year we’ve played and competed and done it the right way. That’s what our expectations are as we go through the basketball season. Continue to build, continue to grow and play basketball the way it’s supposed to be played.”

The Warriors game was disastrous, but just one game prior against Indiana, “We played one of our best games [of the season].”

Competing as well as they did against the Pacers, one of the best teams in the league, is comforting knowing they can get up and compete against the premier teams. Stevens confirmed even though the season hasn’t been a success, “the spirit is pretty good” in the locker room and around the practice facility.

It’s important that they play hard and compete for the rest of the season as 16 of their remaining 21 games are against teams currently in the playoffs.

How they come out and play every night against the better teams in the league will say a lot about the team as they stumble to the finish line.

While the Celtics prepare for a handful of back to back games, the big question will be whether or not Rajon Rondo will play in both games.

Stevens noted that their next back-to-back is still a few games away and responded to that query with, “It hasn’t even been on my radar and I haven’t even asked [the medical staff] yet.”

Listen below for the full interview, including Stevens’ thoughts on the March Madness tournament about to start up: