Joe Mazzulla’s work this season should not be overlooked despite Boston’s playoff exit against the Philadelphia 76ers. He remains a strong Coach of the Year contender.
The Celtics maintained a high level even without Jayson Tatum for much of the campaign. That context highlights the consistency Mazzulla managed to build across the roster.
However, numbers from Game 7 suggest a costly miscalculation. A key decision ahead of the decisive clash ultimately contributed to a historic and unwanted outcome.
Boston Celtics starters set unwanted record in Game 7 defeat
Boston became the first team in NBA history to have three different starters record zero points in a playoff game. It is a record that dates back to when starters began being tracked.
As Luka Garza, Baylor Scheierman and Ron Harper Jr all finished scoreless, ESPN reports this broke a mark that had stood since the 1970-1971 season.
Mazzulla altered his starting line-up due to Jayson Tatum’s absence. The star forward left Game 6 with concerns about his left leg.
Although initially expected to play, Tatum was ruled out due to knee discomfort. Mazzulla responded by making more changes than anticipated to his usual starting five.
Line-up gamble raises questions after defeat
The decision ultimately backfired as the selected unit had never played together before Game 7. That lack of familiarity appeared to impact rhythm early on.
Meanwhile, Sam Hauser and Neemias Queta, both surprisingly benched, delivered 11 and 17 points respectively, raising further questions about the initial choices.
Harper Jr’s involvement was limited to the first quarter, while Garza played only nine minutes across three periods. Those details underline how the strategy failed to produce the intended impact.
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