The assignment is simple for the Celtics over the 20 remaining games in this regular season.
Clean it up.
That’s what they must do as a whole. That’s what their best player, Jayson Tatum, must do as an individual.
It’s simple. Obvious. And absolutely crucial. Despite two maddening losses in a row — a blown 22-point fourth-quarter lead Tuesday to the Cavaliers, then Thursday’s failed mettle test against the defending champion Nuggets — the Celtics can win the NBA title.
But they have to clean it up. They have to, if they intend to avoid postseason heartbreak.