Celtics Game-Breaker: Joe Mazzulla shows huge growth with third-quarter timeout
The Mavericks went on a run, so Joe Mazzulla called a timeout.
In most contexts, Mazzulla’s third-quarter stoppage would be standard stuff. NBA basketball is a game of runs, and it’s often incumbent on the head coach to stop the momentum. But in the case of Mazzulla, a timely timeout is a sign of massive growth for a young head coach who, at times, has shown a strange resistance to using them.
Up only eight points after the Mavericks ripped off a 35-14 run from the second to the third quarter in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night, Mazzulla gathered his team and refocused them just in time, in a moment where last year’s Mazzulla may have left the timeout in his pocket for frustratingly long.
“Game management is going to be important,” Mazzulla said. “This is a great team. They have a tendency to go on great runs. That’s going to happen. You have to be able to manage those with poise and execution, know why those runs are being made, and quickly put a stop to them with high-level execution.
“I liked the way we handled their run, because that’s going to happen. You’re not going to stop that. You just have to have the poise and the toughness to work through it and I thought our guys did that.”
Even if this one was a tad late, it’s impossible to argue with the results.
Coming out of Mazzulla’s timeout, the Celtics went on a 14-2 run to close the third quarter, putting them back up by 20 entering the fourth. They recommitted to two hallmarks of tough team basketball, driving to the hoop on offense and applying pressure at the defensive end, and it reignited the whole operation.
Jun 6, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) shoots against Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (21) in the third quarter during game one of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden. (David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports)
Jaylen Brown was emblematic of the energy shift. Fitting. Brown scored six points as part of the run, but more importantly, he blocked three shots in a span of 1:34 late in the quarter. The third block came against Mavs star Kyrie Irving, then Brown followed that up with a three-pointer of his own.
Mazzulla had a simple series of messages for Brown and the team during that pivotal timeout, and clearly, they were all received.
“We just said, just breathe. The game is starting now,” Brown said. “Just breathe. We’re in — this is a moment where our experience shines through. Just breathe, just keep playing basketball. If you got a shot that’s open, take it with confidence, no turnovers, take care of the basketball and just play our game. We got to get some stops. They made some big shots. Just navigate the run. That was it.”
Game 1 of the NBA Finals certainly showed why the Celtics were the best team in basketball during the regular season, they continue to be the best team during the 2024 playoffs, and they’re clearly the better, deeper team than the Mavericks. But it’s also a great sign for the team in this series and beyond that their head coach is showing critical signs of progress in his own right.
It feels less likely, now, that their relatively inexperienced head coach would get in the way of winning a championship. Perhaps he’ll be part of the reason why.
Matt Dolloff is a writer and digital content producer for 98.5 The Sports Hub. Read all of his articles here.
Celtics 107-89 win over the Mavericks in Game 1 of the NBA Finals led by Porzingis, Brown
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 06: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts as he dunks the ball against Maxi Kleber #42 of the Dallas Mavericks during the second quarter in Game One of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 06, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Fourth Quarter:
Jaylen would continue to stay hot early in the fourth hitting the first basket of the quarter trying to leave no doubt in the Celtics lead. The teams would trade blows early in the fourth but with Boston leading by 20 to start the quarter Dallas would need to do a lot more than just trade baskets with Boston. Derrick White would hit a layup with 8:34 to go in the game to extend Boston’s lead back up to 21. Dallas’ defense wasn’t getting enough stops to cut into Boston’s lead, the teams would continue to trade baskets throughout the quarter with an Al Horford layup after a Tatum offensive rebound would put Boston up 96-75 with 6:09 to go.
Jrue Holiday one of the big offseason acquisitions by Celtics GM Brad Stevens was making his impact felt on both ends all night, as he’d hit a 3 pointer to make it 99-75 with 5:28 to go in the game and Boston getting closer to that ever important 1-0 series lead. Boston wouldn’t let up as the quarter went on leading by 20 for most of the 4th, Jason Kidd would basically wave the white flag with 5 minutes to go taking Irving and Doncic out of the game as the Mavericks couldn’t get any closer. Boston would continue to do everything right in the fourth going up 105-84 with 1:49 to go coasting to a 1-0 series lead with game 2 set for Sunday night at the Garden. The Celtics would go on to win by 107-89 dominating for large stretches of the game and making it look easy at times, if Dallas is going to rebound in game 2 their defense is going to need to make massive adjustments.
Scaz’s takeaways
- Celtics dominate with a very average Tatum offensive game
- Porzingis looked healthy and ready to go a great sign for the Celtics
- Jaylen Brown was great on both ends of the floor
- Dallas’ defense needs to make massive adjustments for game 2
