Change will be spare

It’s the second round that has the entire organization worried. The Celtics are 2-8 against Cleveland, Atlanta, and Orlando.

For the first time in his Boston tenure, Rivers is faced with the possibility that his team is too old and too content to compete. But he refuses to believe such assertions, and the past two days did nothing to change his coaching philosophy.

“If you have a team that is ‘supposed to win a title’ or is in the running to win one, and if you’re not playing great at any point, then you’re going to be questioned,’’ he said. “As a group, that doesn’t change. This year, something is wrong with our team and it is because we’re not winning.’’

The lackadaisical attitude during Saturday’s demoralizing loss to New Jersey was disconcerting to Rivers, but he insists on taking the responsibility himself for the actions of the players. Perhaps a major shakeup would inspire his bunch, but he is depending on their personal pride and talent. Last night’s 105-100 victory over the Pistons was a good first step.

“I think that’s what all the guys who never played and coached think: ‘Let’s make a change!’ ’’ said Rivers. “It’s been proven, the more you stay the same, the better you get.

“I don’t know how many times I’ve said it, but as a staff, you do it every game. What can we do different? You always look at that stuff. We have had a lot of minor tweaks, we just don’t think we need to do major ones.’’

So those looking for Rivers to turn into Bobby Knight or Pat Riley will be greatly disappointed. If the Celtics continue to decline, Rivers will go down with the ship, his way.

He is a man of convictions, of great confidence, and his players’ style has worked well during his tenure here.

He has been here long enough to understand that a two-game losing streak means panic, and he has no intention of getting caught in the hysteria and making wholesale changes.

The numbers show that the Celtics, although flawed, are hardly a lost cause. They entered last night three games back of Orlando for the No. 2 seed, with a favorable schedule down the stretch.

There can be no more letdowns against pathetic teams such as the Nets, and the execution and chemistry have to improve.