Contemplating the circumstances of dropping two dwelling video games and a pair of 20-point third quarter leads, Joe Mazzulla was pretty subdued in his postgame presser. They’ll watch movie and discover areas to enhance earlier than heading out to New York for the weekend, however the Celtics head coach didn’t appear upset or involved together with his workforce’s efficiency.
And after being blitzed with questions on their three-point makes an attempt, shot choice and late sport choices that didn’t work out in Boston’s favor, Mazzulla was as resolved as he’s ever been about his workforce.
“I take solace in the truth that we have now a problem forward of us and an opportunity to go after it collectively and we gotta do it,” Mazzulla stated of the defending champs. “We don’t actually have a alternative. We simply gotta determine it out.”
When you’re glutton for emotional punishment….within the final six years, that is simply the 2nd time (in 564 video games common season/playoffs), the Celtics went two straight taking pictures 25% or under from 3.
2nd time…in 564 video games.
Lots of 99th percentile issues right here in spherical two.
— Sean Grande (@SeanGrandePBP) Could 8, 2025
After sweeping the Knicks within the common season after which struggling back-to-back anomalistic taking pictures nights from behind the arc, there are two colleges of considered what the Celtics must “work out.” Do they belief the strategy that helped grasp Banner 18 final spring and throw these outcomes out or is it a matter of dramatically altering their gameplan — much more drives, being much more deliberate about making Mitchell Robinson a non-factor, and so forth. — with probably three out of the following 4 video games at Madison Sq. Backyard?
For Jaylen Brown, it’s all about mindset.
“Resiliency. Toughness. We received an awesome group that stays collectively via all of it. These are the moments when we have to present our resiliency. We have to present our toughness, our psychological toughness as a result of we are able to get again on this factor — no query,” Brown stated after hitting simply 8-of-23 from the ground and coughing up six turnovers in Sport 2.
“Clearly, being down 0-2, it sucks, however we received an awesome group and if I may choose any guys that would get it carried out, it’s the group we have now within the locker room. We simply gotta come out, be slightly extra poised, take a deep breath, convert our alternatives. We missed layups, straightforward baskets. In two video games, we up twenty factors and someway, not find yourself with wins. It’s inexcusable, however we’re going to be taught from it. We’re going to reply.”
The Celtics haven’t misplaced three video games in a row over the past two seasons. Sport 3 looks as if a should win. Sport 4 may as effectively be, too. No workforce in NBA historical past who has misplaced the primary two dwelling video games has gone on to win the collection with out regaining homecourt benefit within the subsequent two.
“In a means, it kinda takes all of the strain off of us. When you examine the percentages, possibly the Knicks are the favorites now to win. We have been anticipated to win, so for us to be on this gap with our backs towards the wall, we have now nothing to lose,” Kristaps Porzingis stated. “So, we gotta return on the market [and] depart all of it out on the ground. There’s lots of basketball but to play. Let’s see the place this goes.”
Earlier than Jayson Tatum may handle the media, a fireplace broke out and TD Backyard was evacuated. Metaphorically, possibly that fireplace was set by Mikal Bridges who had 14 factors within the ultimate body, six greater than all of the Celtics starters mixed. Or possibly that was town of Boston making an attempt to mild a fireplace underneath their beloved workforce.
“What’s carried out is completed,” Brown stated. “Now we received a possibility to see what we’re manufactured from and are available out and attempt to make one thing occur in Sport 3.”


















