Mazzulla Sounds the Alarm: Celtics’ Inconsistent Play and Effort Unacceptable
The defending NBA champions, Boston Celtics, are fighting to turn things back around after coming off their fourth loss in the past seven games. The Celtics fell to the Philadelphia 76ers on NBA Christmas Day in a four-point loss, and the team is trying to figure out ways to address their problem areas as the NBA nears the second half of the season.
This is the first time all season the Celtics have lost two in a row. Boston trailed by as many as 16 points in the third quarter, also marking their largest deficit at home this year. Defensively, the Celtics struggled throughout the entire matchup. Joel Embiid finished the game with 27 while Tyrese Maxey led the way with 32 points.
Jayson Tatum, who led the Celtics in scoring with 32 points and 15 rebounds addressed the media following the loss.
“I think we’ve got to take some ownership,” said Jayson Tatum, who was a bright spot despite the loss, finishing with 32 points, 15 rebounds, and four assists. “We’ve got to be better. We’ve got to acknowledge the things we’ve done that are not so great. We’ve got to look in the mirror and man up. We fully believe in ourselves, the things we can do when we’re fully locked in, and we’ve done it time and time again. We’ve just had some lapses recently and we’ve just got to get that s— right.”
Coach Joe Mazzulla mentioned the team’s inconsistent play as a major reason for the team’s recent losses.
“Just didn’t have great offensive rhythm, just didn’t have great defensive execution,” Joe Mazzulla noted. “So it’s inconsistent. We’re playing inconsistent basketball. So we’ve got to be better at both ends of the floor. Got to be more consistent at both ends of the floor.”
Other Celtics players agree with Coach Mazzulla, including Al Horford who scored 22 on the night.
“I think that’s a fair criticism from him,” said Horford. “I just think that we have to really dive into our work a little more and understand that we can’t relax during periods of the game, no matter the circumstance. We have to make sure that we’re a little better in that regard and with this group, and I know that we’re capable of getting it together.”
The Celtics still sit in second in the East with a record of 22-8. Up next, Boston faces the Indiana Pacers back-to-back.
