Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla reflected on Friday night’s 126-105 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, praising his team’s execution and composure.
“I thought we relied on open shots. I thought we executed well… they went zone and it messed up our rhythm a little bit, but we were able to pick it back up,” Mazzulla said.
He noted the ongoing development of his younger players, particularly Josh Minott, highlighting their versatility and willingness to learn. “He plays a tough role… just constantly communicating… he cares about the details and wants to get it right,” Mazzulla said.
Mazzulla also addressed the intensity of facing the Lakers in a storied rivalry. “It’s a blessing to be part of something much bigger than yourself… you can’t take that for granted,” he said.
Derrick White’s recent shooting improvement drew attention, as Mazzulla pointed to his increasing consistency in catch-and-shoot situations. “Regardless of if he’s making shots or not, he plays with energy, joy, and detail… he doesn’t allow that stuff to bother him,” Mazzulla explained.
The Celtics’ offense showed cohesion and rhythm throughout the game, with Mazzulla emphasizing teamwork and spacing. “We come in with an identity of how we want to play… it’s ever-evolving based on the season… the guys are doing a good job understanding that,” he said.
Boston dominated early, led by Jaylen Brown’s 30 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists, while White added 19 points, including five three-pointers, and Jordan Walsh contributed 17. The Celtics hit a season-high 24 three-pointers and dished out 31 assists, never trailing and building a 29-point lead in the second quarter.
The Lakers, missing LeBron James and Luka Doncic, struggled to keep pace despite Austin Reaves’ 36 points and Gabe Vincent’s 18 points. Rui Hachimura scored 13, and Deandre Ayton grabbed 10 rebounds, but Los Angeles could not match Boston’s efficiency and spacing.
Boston’s defense forced 14 turnovers and converted them into fast-break opportunities, maintaining control even after a late Lakers run reduced the deficit to 15 points. Neemias Queta added 10 points and six rebounds off the bench, while Payton Pritchard contributed 15 points and six assists.
The Celtics (14-9) will travel to Toronto on Sunday, aiming to extend their four-game winning streak, while the Lakers (16-6) return home to face Philadelphia, looking to rebound from a rare double-digit defeat.
