“Celtics Turn 76ers into Crash Test Dummies in Unintentional Experiment”

“Celtics Turn 76ers into Crash Test Dummies in Unintentional Experiment”

Joe Mazzulla isn’t one for downtime. He made that crystal clear before the recent All-Star break. The Boston Celtics’ head honcho prefers to keep grinding rather than taking a breather. But despite his disdain for breaks, Mazzulla knew how to make the most of his forced vacation.

“Got myself a list here, about 10 to 12 things that we gotta work on as a team,” Mazzulla spilled just before the All-Star timeout. “So, I’m gonna check out the game calendar, see when we can slot these babies in. Gotta make sure they’re right on point, whether it’s a full-blown practice or just a shootaround. These themes gotta be drilled into where we’re aiming to be. So, yeah, definitely got some planning to do.”

Mazzulla’s Game Plan: Turning Breaks into Experiments

Mazzulla was all about conducting experiments. In essence, the Celtics’ coach admitted to scanning the team’s upcoming schedule, pinpointing which games offered the best teaching moments, and gearing up accordingly.

Three games into the post-All-Star stretch, and the Celtics were already deep into their laboratory sessions.

Wins, Adjustments, and the Mazzulla Trials

Boston’s victories against the Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks weren’t just about getting the W. They were about making adjustments on the fly. Spot a problem, fix it on the go. That’s how they handled Nikola Vucevic’s dominance and Jalen Brunson’s pick-and-roll savvy. Patching up those gaps led to two solid wins.

Their latest victory against the Philadelphia 76ers was the epitome of the Mazzulla approach. Despite attempting their lowest number of threes this season, the Celtics secured an 18-point win over the Sixers.

Yes, Philly threw everything but the kitchen sink to halt Boston’s three-point barrage, especially with Joel Embiid sidelined. Yet, Boston’s willingness to adapt shone through.

Embracing the Challenge: Boston’s Winning Formula

Jaylen Brown summed it up perfectly, “It’s good to face teams throwing different looks at us. Like tonight, they shut down our three-point game. Next time, someone might go full zone to slow us down. Or switch everything. As a hoops junkie, you gotta love that challenge.”

Led by Brown’s impressive 10-of-11 finish in the paint, Boston dominated inside, shooting a stellar 80.0% in the restricted area. They outpaced the 76ers with 12 more shots around the rim.

Boston also hit 37 free throws, matching their season-high. Interestingly, their other 37-free-throw game coincided with their previous season-low in three-point attempts during a match against the Orlando Magic.

Learning from Setbacks: The Celtics’ Evolution

While it might not have been at the forefront of Mazzulla’s mind, the issues highlighted in the Orlando loss likely found a place among his 10 or 12 improvement items.

“Yeah, we only took 22 threes. That’s not our usual style,” Jayson Tatum admitted. “But we recognized they were smaller tonight. So, we capitalized on driving to the rim.”

Turning Setbacks into Opportunities

Even if experimenting wasn’t on Mazzulla’s agenda for the 76ers clash, Nick Nurse’s defensive scheme provided the perfect chance.

Boston thrives on driving and dishing, but when Nurse shut down that option, Mazzulla switched gears. They exploited interior mismatches, got to the line, and let Tatum and Brown wreak havoc driving inside. Once they found their rhythm and tightened up on defense, the Sixers were toast.

“It’s a thing of beauty,” Mazzulla beamed about winning despite losing out on key metrics. “Gives us plenty to dissect and improve on. Just grateful for the opportunity to play a game like that.”

Beyond the Three-Point Obsession: Mazzulla’s Philosophy

Sure, Mazzulla’s often associated with the three-ball. But according to Tatum, it’s not about launching 44 triples a night. It’s about taking smart shots and respecting each other’s space.

“Threes are great, but I’m all about quality shots,” Mazzulla emphasized. “If the mismatch favors a post-up or a drive, we go for it. If they switch, and we get the advantage outside, we take that shot. It’s all about playing smart.”

A Balanced Approach: Winning in Various Ways

Heading into Tuesday’s game, the Celtics hadn’t won a single match when making 10 or fewer threes. But against the Sixers, they shattered that trend with just five treys. It showed they could secure the win even without heavy reliance on long-range shots, likely ticking off another item from Mazzulla’s improvement list.

Conclusion: The Celtics’ Versatility

Intentional or not, the Celtics have been treating their opponents like crash test dummies. Mazzulla, the mastermind, meticulously adjusts the team’s approach. The Celtics are the car, and on Tuesday night, they proved they could navigate different terrains with finesse. 

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