Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla pointed to execution and composure after his team’s 123-91 win over the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1 on Sunday at TD Garden.
“Yeah, I mean, I think that’s part of just making winning plays regardless how the game was going,” Mazzulla said, referencing a key third-quarter stretch that shifted momentum back to Boston.
The Celtics responded to a brief push with defensive activity and shot-making, something their head coach emphasized as essential in playoff basketball.
“When you’re not, there’s going to be ebbs and flows to the game… making winning plays whether it’s offensive rebounding… sprint back and block some shots… great team rebounding,” he said. “Those things give you a shot and they help manage runs.”
Boston’s control of the game showed in the numbers, as the team hit 16 three-pointers and never trailed while building a 35-point lead.
Mazzulla stressed that rebounding was not about individual stats but collective effort.
“It’s team rebound… it’s not one… it’s your job to keep your guy from getting it,” he said. “The responsibility of the guard is coming back and getting the ball.”
He credited multiple players for that effort, including Sam Hauser, who grabbed seven rebounds.
“Sam did a great job of that. We had some other guys make big-time plays,” Mazzulla said. “That’s an important key to winning basketball.”
Boston also relied on depth, using 12 players in the rotation, a strategy Mazzulla has leaned on throughout the season.
“The strength of our team is… we just have a bunch of different ways that we could play,” he said. “Everyone’s got to be ready.”
He highlighted contributions from role players, noting how short stretches still impacted the outcome.
“We just need guys to be ready to make plays and they did that tonight,” Mazzulla said.
Defensively, the Celtics limited Philadelphia to 39% shooting and just 4-of-23 from beyond the arc.
“I thought they still are one of the best teams at taking care of the ball,” Mazzulla said. “Some of that was self-inflicted, but… we did a good job with our positioning and our activity.”
Jayson Tatum led Boston with 25 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists in his return to playoff action, and Mazzulla praised his adaptability.
“Offensively just gave the game what it needed… saw aggressive pick-and-roll coverage… able to make the right play,” he said.
Despite the lopsided result, Mazzulla emphasized that the series is far from decided.
“We have to expect a better version of both our opponent and ourselves,” he said. “That’s just the beginning of a long series.”
He reinforced that the team’s approach will not change heading into Game 2.
“I expect tomorrow is the same process… here’s a list of things that we did well… here’s what we got to get better at,” Mazzulla said. “We have to execute.”
The Celtics’ head coach also addressed the mindset of players experiencing playoff basketball, keeping the focus on fundamentals.
“You have to offensive rebound… sprint to get a transition layup… defend without foul,” he said. “It’s a credit to those guys being ready to do that.”
Boston now holds a 1-0 series lead, with Game 2 set for Tuesday night.
