“You gotta make that choice”: Celtics committed to Joe Mazzulla’s vision vs. Cavs — and it paid off

Perhaps the Celtics have far more within the tank than their first three video games prompt — a lot, far more.

Boston’s 0-3 begin to the season rapidly drew doubt surrounding the group’s frontcourt, offseason, and total means to compete with out Jayson Tatum. It solely took three video games for the net discourse surrounding the group to show to, ‘Ought to we simply tank prefer it’s 2013-14 over again?’

The rebounding was atrocious, a lot in order that the Celtics sank to twenty seventh within the league in rebounding (39 per sport) amid the three-game shedding streak. Getting a win turned a monkey on the group’s again, casting confusion about how a group that regarded so elite within the preseason may look much more misplaced to start the common season.

The street journey finale in New Orleans earned the Celtics their first win, however Wednesday night time’s return to TD Backyard to host the Cavaliers awarded Boston with its first signal of turning a brand new leaf.

Donovan Mitchell and the Cavaliers, coming off final season’s Jap Convention-best run, reconnected with the Celtics amid their three-game profitable streak. However as an alternative of imposing its dominance in kicking a shorthanded Boston group whereas it’s down, Cleveland was fed a heavy dose of actuality because the Celtics trotted away with a 125-105 victory earlier than cueing a much-deserved “Gino Time” celebration at residence.

A number of elements contributed to Boston’s first upset win of the 12 months, however Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla summed it up in a single easy idea: decisions.

“It’s a type of issues that you need to make the selection every single day once you get up that you just’re gonna rebound on each ends of the ground,” Mazzulla stated. “If you get up within the morning, you gotta simply make that selection. So it’s not one thing that we discovered. We now have to remind and watch it tomorrow, after which we’re both going to do good or we’re not, after which we gotta remind and do it once more. So it’s simply a type of habits and disciplines that by no means goes away and also you simply always should work on it.”

Within the battle of the margins, Boston steamrolled Cleveland. The Celtics scored 125 factors, grabbed 52 rebounds (18 offensive), dished out 29 assists, and knocked down 21 whole 3-pointers — all season highs and all higher than the Cavaliers on Wednesday night time. Mazzulla’s squad additionally restricted its whole turnovers to only eight, the fewest they’ve dedicated this season. The sport turned so lopsided that Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson waved the white flag with 2:47 left, trailing by 15 factors.

For the ultimate jiffy of regulation, the complete TD Backyard devoted let loose a collective sigh of aid — a sense Celtics followers haven’t loved in what looks like ages. Sam Hauser, who completed with 21 factors, even snagged a stray piece of confetti from the group’s 2024 Banner 18 celebration whereas enjoyable on Boston’s bench — maybe an omen that a lot brighter days are simply across the nook.

Regardless, the Celtics managed to earn Mazzulla’s approval to snag their second straight win.

“The hassle that we now have going after them has been top-notch, particularly over the past couple (of video games),” Mazzulla stated. “You realize you’re not gonna play it good, however in case you get two arms on it, get it after which simply have effort to go get it. So, guys have accomplished a great job of that.”

Josh Minott stayed within the beginning lineup alongside Neemias Queta, and the 2 bigs brought about complications for the Cavaliers all night time. Minott contributed with 11 factors, 14 rebounds (a career-high), and three steals, whereas Queta added 10 factors, 13 rebounds (additionally a career-high), and three steals, ending a +25 on the night time. Each unproven gamers made life a lot simpler for his or her teammates, offering the Celtics with a rock-solid basis in what has lengthy been their most weak space on the ground.

“I believe we’re all purchased into no matter technique Joe has,” Minott defined. “We’re simply believing in him, trusting in him. I’m only a participant, man — he’s acquired a method more durable job. I don’t need to fuel his head an excessive amount of, however we’re purchased into the methods Joe has every night time, and no matter that appears like, we’re simply making an attempt to go on the market and execute it.”

The Celtics performed a tricky, blue-collar model of basketball, completely suited to the roster Mazzulla and his workers are working with this season. They generated scoring alternatives via good passing and relentless defensive power, constructing a 16-3 benefit over Cleveland in second-chance factors en path to a 75-point first half. None of it relied on a back-breaking scoring outburst from any single participant. As an alternative, it demonstrated simply how far disciplined, team-oriented basketball can carry a group on any given night time — and this time, it was Minott and Queta standing tall on the forefront for Boston.

“Josh and Neemi each on the glass had been distinctive, and that’s what we’re gonna want going ahead,” Jaylen Brown stated. “I believe rebounding is likely one of the most blatant issues in basketball, but it surely makes an enormous distinction. I believe rebounding was nice for us tonight.”

Revisiting the fundamentals may, at instances, be an exhausting trial. Final season, the Celtics weren’t even enthusiastic about re-establishing the basics inside their identification; it was all about defending their championship by chasing one other one. However with a new-look group, amid some much more unfamiliar circumstances, Boston is working with the deck of playing cards it was dealt — and so they’re doing so with no complaints.

Within the grand scheme, serving the Cavaliers a 20-piece hen nugget marked a small however significant step towards brighter days.

“I’m undoubtedly seeing us constructing in the appropriate path,” Brown ensured. “Generally it leads to wins. Generally it leads to losses. However so long as we proceed to develop and get higher, that’s an important factor for this group proper now — to study and get higher. And generally you gotta do it via expertise. You possibly can’t count on a bunch of recent guys to come back in and count on them to know the way to win. We’re gonna study. We’re gonna construct. And I do know we’re not gonna make any excuses, but it surely’s a terrific problem that I’m excited for.”