Zolak & Bertrand: Joe Mazzulla on what Celtics have left to prove
The Boston Celtics are on a roll as they continue to pad their lead for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. They now boast a 46-12 record, and are widely considered to be the odds-on favorite to raise the Larry O’Brien Trophy this summer. With a large lead in the standings, it may be tough for a team to maintain focus down the home stretch of the season. But the C’s will have a difficult test this week, as they get set to face off against several teams that currently sit in a playoff spot.
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla joined Zolak & Bertrand to discuss what the Celtics have left to prove this season, especially over the next five games beginning on Friday against the Dallas Mavericks at the TD Garden:
‘A challenging month…’
“I think this month is going to be an exciting month, a challenging month and we’re really looking forward to it. Expected to be difficult, you know. There will be good opportunity for us to kind of just be in challenging situations. It’s a tough one.”
Does Mazzulla think the Celtics have anything left to prove over the course of the rest of the season?
“Not to anybody else other than ourselves. And making sure that the things that the habits that we build, the mindset that we build, that we continue to put those things forward regardless of who we’re playing. And so, we talked about that today as a team. You know, as much as the result of winning is important, the result of continuing to play with the right habits, the right mindset, the right, you know, execution and purpose that we have been is, that we continue that.”
Here is a look at the Celtics upcoming schedule:
Fri, Mar 1 vs Dallas Mavericks 7:30 PM
Sun, Mar 3 vs Golden State Warriors 3:30 PM
Tue, Mar 5 @ Cleveland Cavaliers 7:30 PM
Thu, Mar 7 @ Denver Nuggets 10:00 PM
Sat, Mar 9 @ Phoenix Suns 8:30 PM
LISTEN: Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla joins Zolak & Bertrand
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 22: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets reacts to a foul during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers in game four of the Western Conference Finals at Crypto.com Arena on May 22, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
TIER 1
Nikola Jokic
Jayson Tatum
Anthony Edwards
Luka Doncic
Joel Embiid
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 16: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates a three pointer against the Boston Celtics during the third quarter in Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 16, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
TIER 2
Stephen Curry
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Donovan Mitchell
Jimmy Butler
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat in Game Six of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on October 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
TIER 3
Kawhi Leonard
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Kevin Durant
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De’Aaron Fox
