These are difficult times for the Celtics. Those down-to-the-wire decisions, which were going their way for so much of the first-half schedule, have begun to fall in the other direction. With increasing regularity.

The Celtics' latest heartbreaker was a 98-95 overtime loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves last night at the FleetCenter, their third straight loss and fourth in five games in what now can officially be termed a skid. And, while the late-game breakdowns that cost them against the Wolves were nowhere near the magnitude of those made in squandering a 17-point second-half lead in Thursday's 97-92 loss at Toronto, the Celtics have discovered a disturbing pattern of late.