“My body was really sore the last two days. We need more days like this, but, of course, the way the schedule is, we’re not going to get them, and that’s why we’re out here for two-plus hours.’’
Celtics coach Doc Rivers questioned the team’s toughness after an 87-74 loss to Indiana Friday.
“We have to be a more physical team,’’ Pierce said. “I think we play physical in spurts, where it’s something we have to do constantly. We have to be a better rebounding team, from our bigs to our guards.
“The combination of our five guys on the court has to create the toughness we need on the court. It can’t be one guy go out there and be a tough guy. It has to come from all of us.
“We don’t have a big body like [Kendrick] Perkins or a guy like Big Baby [Glen Davis], so it has to be - it doesn’t have to come in a size package. It comes in how bad do you want it? Most physical guys in boxing aren’t the biggest guys, so that doesn’t matter.’’
Pierce, who missed the first three games of the season with a heel bruise, shot 3 for 17 against the Pacers.
“I was 3 for 17?’’ Pierce said. “I have already forgotten about it.
“We know where we’re at. We’re 4-4 and that shows we’re just a .500 team. We’ve been inconsistent. That’s where we are right now, until we get better.
“It could be the schedule, could be that we didn’t get the long training camp. But, you know, everyone is in the same boat. We can’t make that as an excuse.
“We brought in our core guys, we have a lot of new faces, but a lot of teams have a lot of new faces. It’s about going out there and getting the job done and not making excuses about it.’’
The Mavericks’ record - 4-5 - does not reflect their ability, Pierce said.
“They’re defending champs and they’re probably one of the deepest teams in the league, talentwise,’’ Pierce said. “So you can’t look at their record and say that’s who they are.
“They have championship experience and lot of veteran guys who can get the job done, so they’re a lot better than what their record shows.’’
As the champ, Dallas has also been targeted.
