Following a dominant 115-93 win in Game 3 at Madison Square Garden, Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla credited discipline and mindset for the team’s defensive surge and sharper execution.
Speaking to reporters postgame, Mazzulla repeatedly emphasized the importance of avoiding live ball turnovers, which had plagued Boston during the first two games of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
“We didn’t have 11 live ball turnovers—that helps a lot when you keep it in between the lines,” Mazzulla said, pointing to Boston’s ability to limit the Knicks’ transition scoring opportunities.
Mazzulla praised his players for executing in crucial moments, especially during the final two minutes of each quarter, which he said had been a focus over the previous 72 hours.
“The last two minutes of each quarter were much better than they had been the first two games,” Mazzulla noted. “So those two things play a huge key against this team.”
The Celtics held New York under 26 points in every quarter, a testament to their improved half-court defense and rim protection.
“When you don’t have live ball turnovers, it doesn’t lead to transition opportunities,” Mazzulla said. “We were able to keep them off the glass a decent amount.”
Boston’s second unit, led by Sixth Man of the Year Payton Pritchard, made a major impact, especially in light of Jrue Holiday’s early foul trouble.
“Our sub patterns are always flexible,” Mazzulla explained. “Payton was good… we were able to go to some different stuff.”
On the offensive end, the Celtics played with decisiveness and pace, enabling players like Jaylen Brown to attack mismatches and generate efficient looks.
“I thought Jaylen got off to a good start… it just starts with the pace at which you play to get that type of spacing,” Mazzulla said.
Despite the pressure of falling behind 2-0 in the series, Mazzulla said the past 72 hours weren’t difficult, dismissing the notion outright.
“There’s no expectations,” he said. “We’re on a path of trying to go after greatness, and you don’t get to dictate the test that’s in front of you.”
Describing the process as “dark, but in a good way,” Mazzulla suggested that adversity is part of the path. “You just got to tap into your darkness and that’s it,” he added.
Mazzulla also highlighted the team’s emphasis on fundamentals like spacing, rebounding, and ball security as essential in neutralizing players like OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson.
“The best way to defend these guys is to attack them with proper spacing… so we don’t have live ball turnovers,” he said.
Game 4 is scheduled for Monday night in New York as the Celtics aim to even the series before returning to TD Garden.
