After their 3-0 begin to the season, the Boston Celtics have gone 2-3 of their final 5 video games, with many pointing at their defensive numbers as the first cause. They laid declare to the very best protection within the league final yr, however simply seven video games in, that’s removed from the case.
Regardless of that, Joe Mazzulla has remained assured. And through his pre-game press conference forward of Boston’s November 4 matchup towards the Chicago Bulls, he emphasised that confidence.
“We’re primary in protection, by the best way, [in the] final two video games,” Mazzulla blurted out jokingly in the midst of a solution. “Nobody’s requested about that.”
Boston’s final two video games include a 113-114 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers and a 112-94 win over the Washington Wizards. And whereas the Celtics could not the very best crew when it comes to defensive score over the previous two video games (100.5; sixth within the NBA), their numbers have improved drastically.
“When your finest gamers need to play protection, they usually take pleasure in it, you might have an opportunity to be good. I feel he’s accomplished that over the course of final yr and this yr,” Mazzulla stated of Tatum. “And I feel our complete crew has. Primary in protection, primary in area objective share protection, and primary in free throw fee.”
Final season, the Celtics’ 106.2 defensive score topped the league, they usually allowed simply 104.5 factors per recreation – additionally the very best mark within the league. However with Ime Udoka’s suspension and the damage to Robert Williams, their gradual begin on that finish was instantly known as into query.
However Mazzulla believes that their early struggles don’t have anything to do with effort. The Celtics simply need to reestablish the identical habits that helped them final season.
“Protection is one thing that comes with time,” Mazzulla stated. “I’ve stated it earlier than, I’ll say it once more, it’s not an effort concern. Our guys play actually, actually arduous, they usually need to win. It’s a matter of reestablishing habits. Reestablishing requirements. And now we have moments the place we’re not nice defensively, the place we let go of the rope slightly bit, however I really like the steps that we’ve taken during the last two, three video games.”
He additionally famous that there’s “nothing” completely different about the best way they’ve been taking part in during the last two video games in regard to the sport plan and changes.
Mazzulla additionally addressed the latest studies of Udoka becoming a member of the Nets, noting that he hasn’t had any talks with the Celtics about his long-term standing as head coach. “I’m nonetheless the interim,” he acknowledged.
And because the Celtics strategy a stretch of seven video games in 15 days, he’s targeted on speaking with the gamers to make sure that they’re in the very best place to win.
“Do no matter you bought to do to win. There’ll be nights the place you must depend on your bench, which is why I feel it’s essential we play the best way we do, particularly with our second unit. Any time you could find guys alternatives to get guys an additional minute or two, I feel that you just try this. However, simply listening to the blokes, seeing how they really feel, how they’re. After which doing no matter now we have to do to win the sport at the moment. So, you bought to have a short-term strategy and a long-term strategy.”
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