Joe Mazzulla details Celtics late-game collapse against the Hawks
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla joined Zolak and Bertrand following his team’s late game collapse against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night:
‘No lead is safe’
Zolak: I know there’s been a couple these high double digit collapses here. Obviously the one in Cleveland that we talked to you about. As this thing was unraveling, did you feel any similarities to that game and how your team was responding?
Mazzulla: For one I thought we responded better this game. I think it lasted a longer stretch because we were up 20 in the fourth quarter. And so I think that’s kind of a the teaching point is just have a feeling of how quickly things can get to a manageable situation. And in the NBA, with the talent and the variance, and the amount of possessions that they are on a three point shooting, no lead is safe. And so I thought it was a good learning opportunity for us. There’s a lot of possessions that we can learn from and we’re able to get on the court today and kind of work through some of that stuff.
Beetle: The possession with just under a minute to go- Jaylen Brown with the basketball brings it up the court 23 dribbles according to Chris Forsberg he did the counting for us. The ball doesn’t move on that play. No one else touches it. And then he takes the fadeaway three. Do you have an issue with that possession? Do you look at that as one of those possessions you want to learn from?
Mazzulla: That was a miscommunication between us. I think the biggest thing I said today, especially with Jaylen, was just empowering him, when Jaylen had the ball in that situation, it’s nothing more I would want what he has the ball than just space to be able to drive it. So, it’s just a miscommunication where, you know, I got to be better communicating what the expectation is. And, we just have to be better executing that. But, he was trying to run a play, and I was trying to empower him to drive the ball, because I think it’s one of the best things he does. So that was a good conversation for us to have today. And he’s got to know that. And, that’s on me to tell him.
LISTEN: Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla joins Zolak & Bertrand
Mazz: Why the Nuggets are better than the Celtics
The Nuggets have the best player
Mar 7, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) during the first half at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Don’t be insulted by this – t The Nuggets have the best player in the league. The question is whether the Celtics can do something to mitigate – or slow down – Nikola Jokic, who has averaged 33 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists against them this season. As good as Porzingis has been for the Celtics this season, he doesn’t appear to have had much effect on Jokic, who is able to muscle him in the paint. Porzingis played well last night, but Denver’s ability to go to Jokic at the biggest moments was an enormous difference-maker in last night’s game. Few (if any) in the league have an answer for him – including the Celtics.
Denver has dictated the pace in both meetings
DENVER, COLORADO – MARCH 7: Head coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets looks on during the game against the Boston Celtics at Ball Arena on March 7, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Brendall O’Banon/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images)
Remember when the Celtics recently attacked the rim against Philadelphia and everyone said they had changed? Well Denver wasn’t buying it. And they won’t until the Celtics prove they can beat Denver in a half-court game, which they have not been able to do. For the year, the Celtics are averaging 120.5 points and more than 16 3-poinmters per game while shooting .385 from distance. Against the Nuggets, those numbers are 104.5, six (yes, six) and .305. Denver has taken away the 3-point line and forced the Celtics to play at a more deliberate pace – and the Celtics haven’t been able to win yet. Yes, the games have been close. But close favors the Nuggets.
The Nuggets have answers for Jayson Tatum
Mar 7, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) during the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Yes, the Celtics found points in other places last night – Jaylen Brown (41 points, 14 rebounds) was brilliant – but the truth remains: while Jokic has been tearing the Celtics apart, Tatum has been neutralized. Denver has physical, athletic wings that make Tatum uncomfortable and the numbers prove it. In two games against Denver, Tatum is shooting 14-for-37 overall (37.8 percent) and just 3-for-13 from distance (23 percent) while averaging 18.5 points and six rebounds. Last night, he had five turnovers. If the Celtics are going to beat the Nuggets in a series of any kind, they have to find a way for Tatum to have greater impact on the game, particularly against a Denver defense that can throw an array of defenders at him, including Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr.
