Joe Mazzulla emphasized competitiveness and discipline after the Boston Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks 110-100 on Tuesday night, a result that moved the Eastern Conference contender to 32-18 while Dallas dropped to 19-31.
The head coach pointed to lineup decisions early, saying, “Oh yeah, man. Best chance to win. Payton’s a competitor. He wants to win. Give us the best chance to win,” when discussing using Payton Pritchard off the bench.
Boston relied on Jaylen Brown’s 33 points and 11 rebounds, and the coach credited the locker room’s mentality. “It’s just the character of the guys… their competitiveness, two, their understanding of the process of winning and… the awareness to know what gives us the best chance to win,” Mazzulla said.
Dallas rookie Cooper Flagg finished with 36 points, and the Celtics targeted him defensively throughout the game. “I mean, he’s just a good player… you have to obviously make it difficult for him… I thought we made it difficult for him,” the bench boss said.
He added that Boston’s defensive approach was tied to discipline rather than drastic adjustments. “No, I mean I think I think we just just follow them… they put a ton of pressure on you getting to the line,” Mazzulla said about Dallas’ fourth-quarter free throws.
The visitors controlled key stretches despite a quiet finish to the second quarter, and the coach supported the shot selection. “I did. We just didn’t make them… the important thing against them is getting the last shot because of their ability to play in transition,” he explained.
Boston’s defense has held five straight opponents under 100 points or close to that threshold, and Mazzulla highlighted details beyond the box score. “I take a look at tonight’s game… we only had 10 turnovers… I think it’s just us… winning the margins,” he said.
Pritchard scored 26 points and Luka Garza added 16, including four third-quarter threes that pushed the lead to double digits. Mazzulla described his approach to roles simply: “I don’t really have a system. My system is the players… whatever gives us the best chance to win.”
He also addressed offensive spacing created by big man versatility. “Luka is able to give us advantages in different ways… tonight it was just his ability to pop… which forced them to go to different defensive coverages,” Mazzulla said.
Patience from Brown and Pritchard helped Boston maintain control late, especially in isolation situations. “They both do a good job of keeping their dribble… if they come over and help you get kick outs… if they don’t come over and help you’re able to get to your spot,” he said.
The Celtics shot 47-of-96 from the field and assisted on 27 baskets, showing balance after roster changes earlier in the day. Boston continues its Texas trip against Houston next, while the Mavericks try to end a five-game skid when they face San Antonio.
