The Boston Celtics just steamrolled the Chicago Bulls, 134-drubbing them at TD Garden this past Monday night. But don’t think for a second head coach Joe Mazzulla is resting on those laurels. Nope, not even after hanging up 134 points, Mazzulla is already pointing out where his squad needs to get sharper.
Chicago’s No Walkover, And Mazzulla Knows It
You’d think a team that lost by that much would be a total cakewalk, but Mazzulla’s not having it. He said Chicago is a “good team” that truly “test you” because they keep that relentless pace going for the entire game. They put a ton of pressure on the margins and the transitions, which can absolutely kill you if you’re not locked in.
The coach did give his guys credit, though. Chicago does a great job of scoring right after you score, a real momentum killer, but the Celtics only gave up two of those buckets all night, one in each half. Plus, they defended the transitions pretty well! Mazzulla even pointed out that most of the Celtics’ turnovers were “dead balls,” meaning the Bulls couldn’t even take advantage of those mistakes. So the effort was there, the mindset to execute was there, and he saw “great intensity” throughout the game, especially in the second half.
But There’s Work To Do: Mazzulla Demands Sharper Play
Even with that kind of dominant win, Mazzulla isn’t satisfied. He knows there’s still room for improvement. First up: those turnovers. He said they “got to clean that up.” But it’s not just one thing. Mazzulla wants his squad to “be sharper both ends of the floor.”
He put it simply: every game, win or lose, you’re going to find a “bunch of possessions that you need to get better at.” That’s his mindset, and it’s clear he expects his team to be relentless in that pursuit. No sitting back and admiring a blowout win when there’s more perfection to chase.
So what’s next for the Celtics? They’re right back at it tomorrow, facing off against the Brooklyn Nets. If Mazzulla’s got this kind of laser focus after a massive 134-point performance, you know he’s expecting nothing less than continuous improvement as they push forward. Get ready for a squad that’s not just winning, but constantly striving to be undeniable.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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