What the Celtics stated about Joe Mazzulla’s matchup with Erik Spoelstra forward of Sport 1

Celtics

The Celtics’ rookie coach takes on a two-time champion.

The highlight was on Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla for a good quantity of the time throughout the latter half of the Celtics’ Japanese Convention semifinal collection in opposition to Philadelphia.

There have been some considerations that the Celtics’ outdated habits would sink them, notably after they did not get a shot off on the finish of Sport 4 after deciding to play the ultimate seconds with out drawing up an after timeout play. At occasions, it appeared like they didn’t have a solution for Philadelphia’s tandem of Joel Embiid and James Harden. Boston admittedly took Philadelphia too evenly in the beginning of the collection.

However, in the long run, Mazzulla’s Celtics prevailed with a gritty win in Sport 6 and an outright thrashing of the Sixers in Sport 7 that resulted in Doc Rivers getting fired on Tuesday.

A part of this was as a result of Celtics’ return to their double-big lineup, with Robert Williams III beginning rather than Derrick White. Mazzulla instructed reporters Tuesday that he plans to start out Williams once more in opposition to Miami in Wednesday’s Sport 1.

Having Jayson Tatum snap out of his capturing funk by closing the collection with 67 factors within the last 5 quarters was instrumental as effectively.

Now, with Miami coach Erik Spoelstra the Warmth coming to city for a rematch of final yr’s Japanese Convention finals, it’s time to see how Boston’s rookie head coach stacks up in opposition to a two-time champion.

Right here’s what the Celtics stated on Tuesday in regards to the matchup between the coaches forward of Sport 1.

On Boston’s confidence in Mazzulla:

Jaylen Brown: “All the boldness on the planet. We’ve been studying on the fly collectively. Joe has are available in with nice humility. He’s discovered all through the collection in opposition to Philadelphia. He’s discovered all through this whole yr that has offered him new challenges that he’s able to tackle firstly. It’s not like he’s by himself. The teaching employees, all of the expertise that we’ve received on our staff has been contributing to what Joe wants and his mindset as effectively. We’ve received one another’s again and we’re trying ahead to an incredible collection.

“It’s undoubtedly going to be a problem for Joe, however I believe he’s going to deal with it effectively. He’s dealt with it effectively all season. He’s been scrutinized, however he’s executed a very good job. He’s a rookie coach, however he’s taken a championship caliber staff and now we’re again within the Japanese Convention Finals. He deserves some credit score for that. However he’s going in opposition to one of many biggest coaches of all time, and I believe there’s a degree of respect there and understanding that Spoelstra goes to make changes. Sport to recreation goes to alter how these guys play relying on how the collection goes, and Joe goes to make changes accordingly.”

On adjusting to the totally different defensive schemes Spoelstra could throw on the Celtics:

Mazzulla: “Simply play with tempo. I believe it begins with our protection, that’s the place we get out and get early. We will’t go up open photographs. We’ve got to have nice spacing. Individuals play zone to gradual you down, we’ve to play simply as quick in opposition to zone as we do in opposition to man.

Brown: “Simply gotta remember. Offensive consciousness needs to be key, I believe that’s one thing that we’ve all grown in and one thing that Joe has emphasised all through the yer. Simply offensive consciousness, having the ability to make reads, having the ability to see what groups are in and having the ability to learn it on the fly. We’ve got to be extremely conscious of what coverages they’re in and play the sport you understand how.”

Malcolm Brogdon: “I believe I’m truly an incredible match to play in opposition to a zone protection. I penetrate, I make good selections with the ball, after which I shoot the ball effectively. I believe we’ve 5 or 6 of these guys on this staff that may do this, so I believe including one other one in myself is a big plus.”

What the Celtics consider Spoelstra:

Brown: “(Spoelstra) is a superb coach. He coaches to win, he leads personnel, it doesn’t matter who’s on his ground they’re at all times enjoying exhausting, they at all times execute and so they’re at all times powerful to beat. Spo is an NBA champion and he at all times has his guys able to go along with a staff that’s received some gamers which can be down and nonetheless managed to get to the place they’re in. I believe teaching performs an amazing half in our league in addition to having gamers who’re mentally mature sufficient to guide a bunch and be vulnerable to teaching, however I believe Spo is likely one of the league’s greatest.”

Mazzulla: “Simply has a variety of expertise, coached a variety of nice gamers, does an incredible job all through the collection of discovering small methods to regulate on each ends of the ground. So we’ve to convey an open thoughts and keep related and do some various things that I assumed was good for us in Sport 6 and seven in opposition to Philly. We’ve got to convey that very same open mindedness and connectivity into this collection.”

On probably the most thrilling a part of the teaching matchup:

Mazzulla: “Simply understanding when it’s time to regulate and what to regulate to. It’s a must to, in opposition to this staff, know precisely what’s hurting you. Nearly as good as they’re at adjusting, they’re simply nearly as good successful within the margins on the little issues. So, if we don’t get again in transition, if we don’t worth the basketball, if we don’t play protection with out fouling then changes aren’t going to matter.”