The Boston Celtics have had a terrible playoffs so far in 2017. Isaiah Thomas has been through one of the roughest weeks of his life after losing his 22-year-old sister in a tragic car accident on Saturday and then having to play less than 24 hours after discovering the news.

Brad Stevens and his Celtics roster have been extremely supportive of their star player throughout this ordeal and that hasn’t changed as they are still trying to find a way to fight back against the Chicago Bulls during their first round playoff series.

Last night, their troubles continued as they fell 111-97 at home and also became the first team in 24 years to trail a series 0-2 as a number one seed. The TD Garden crowd was still trying to will them back at every available opportunity, but even they couldn’t help inspire their team.

As things were coming unraveled, Marcus Smart showed the frustration that the rest of the team was feeling internally when he took offence to what one courtside fan had to say about his performance.

Smart clanked a three-pointer while Boston was down 14 to Chicago late in the fourth quarter and then proceeded to give the middle finger to that fan after words were exchanged.

Obviously, being a televised NBA game, one of the cameras was bound to catch him in the act.

The hotblooded Oklahom State product finished the game with 13 points, eight rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks in 27 minutes of playing time. He was one of the C’s stronger contributors along with Thomas, who led the team in scoring with 20 points.

It has to be frustrating for fans and players alike to have fought so hard for that number one seed in the Eastern Conference and have a showing like this against a Chicago team that had to claw to get into the playoffs.

If they are going to prove everyone wrong about their status as a true contender, then the roster will have to put together four spirited performances and escape the first round. That does not look great at the moment, but anything is possible.

One thing that will help Boston’s cause is more consistent play from big offseason acquisition Al Horford. The big man has been a virtual non-factor so far in this series and before the campaign was looked at as a major piece that would help push the team over the top.