Coach Brad Stevens says Boston Celtics need to develop a “tougher mindset” after Saturday’s home loss to Utah Jazz.

The Celtics were rated as the most likely candidates from the Eastern Conference to go on to the Finals before the season began but they’ve endured a difficult start to the campaign.

Boston went into the clash with Utah on the back of what should have been a morale-boosting overtime win over Conference leaders Toronto Raptors but were well beaten by the Jazz, going down 86-98 as the visitors took a lead they never lost midway through the first quarter.

“We have to build a tougher team mindset than we have,” said Stevens.

“I mean, we just don’t have that mindset yet that we need.”

Stevens feels confidence is an issue at present within his camp, with the Celtics now fifth in the East with a record of 9-7.

He added: “I think there’s a lot of things that it could be, but at the end of the day, you know, you build confidence through doing hard things over and over and over, because that’s your focus.

That’s your intent. Your job is your focus. You know what you’re supposed to do.”

Boston’s next assignment is a trip to Charlotte Hornets before a home game against New York Knicks later in the week.