![]() ![]() That just goes to show Joe’s learning, just like all of us. “Being able to have a lob threat, a rim threat, to be able to protect the rim on the other end, he’s huge for us. “To be able to have Rob in there, he changes the game a lot,” Smart said. Philadelphia previously forced switches, shot mid-rangers over Mazzulla’s drop defense and scored one-on-one. Several players spoke in support of the shift to Williams III, who provided an outlet for the offense and dramatically changed the complexion of the defense. Mazzulla’s unwillingness to shake up the rotations, defensive game plans and a key mistake - not calling timeout at the end of Game 4 - drew criticism players acknowledged after Thursday’s win. He played less often since, and produced inconsistently off the bench. The team emphasized the importance of involving him after his breakout Game 3 against the Hawks. Tatum previously spoke about how much fun offense becomes while playing with Williams III. Mazzulla called it a way to give the Celtics a different look and uplifting presence, and clarified on Saturday to CLNS Media/CelticsBlog that players didn’t directly ask for it. It’s unclear what exactly led to the change. We’ve gotta stay together and tonight I thought we were very vocal with each other and we did stay together.” “Joe can only make so many adjustments, he can only say so much, but it’s only the guys in that huddle, sitting on that bench and on that floor that are gonna make the difference. “At the end of the season, this year, it’s going to win with its defense and I think that’s what we saw tonight.” “This team, I think, in the past has always won with its defense,” Brogdon said. Once they aligned toward that shift, Mazzulla gave them the keys. Perimeter defenders like Smart grabbed steals.īoston’s players desired a more defensive focus entering the postseason. Horford could play higher and more aggressively against the Harden and Joel Embiid pick-and-roll. Williams III roamed away from Tucker, who finished with eight points on 3-for-8 shooting, daring him to shoot while Williams III parked in the lane. The return to the double big lineup allowed Boston to rediscover its identity from last season. In Game 7, they’ll need to wield both structure and that urgency. Mazzulla - under fire as the series tilted against the Celtics - ceded some leadership to the players in a scene as disconnected, yet as passionate as possible through that approach. Tatum did all that on the way to a 95-86 win that saved the season and bided this core’s time together. Keep getting blocks … just believing the next one’s going in.’” Every timeout, every huddle, my teammates are telling me, ‘the next one’s going in. Things not necessarily going your way and you want it so bad. You want to play so well and shot’s not falling. “Encouraging … that s*** was frustrating. “(My teammates) were extremely vocal throughout the game,” Tatum said. They needed to clean up the offense, defend in a variety of lineups and coverages, hold off a furious Philadelphia comeback while uplifting Jayson Tatum from a nearly unprecedentedly poor start by a star. In a chaotic, tense and high-stakes environment that held everyone in the building on the edge of their seat, the Celtics took communication into their own hands. Mazzulla called timeout and Smart walked into the huddle to light up his teammates. The 76ers shot 1-for-9 early, turned it over again when the shot clock expired, before Tyrese Maxey shot Philadelphia back within one possession. James Harden threw away his first pass to P.J. Yet when scoring struggles nearly led to Boston’s elimination in Game 6, defense saved it.Īn overdue adjustment worked. Mazzulla previously shied away from last year’s starting unit due to injuries, uneven results and a desire to play a five-out offense, with execution on that end becoming the team’s identity. When Rob’s not in there, I feel like a lot falls on my shoulders, and when he’s out there, I know that he’s got my back and I can be a little more aggressive.” It didn’t surprise me, I was happy that it happened, but we just know the impact that Rob has on the court. “I’m glad that Joe made that adjustment and we did it, because what a difference. He delivered the news the matchup needed - and that his players wanted to hear. PHILADELPHIA - Joe Mazzulla told Robert Williams III on Wednesday night he would start for the first time since March 3 next to Al Horford.
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