Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla reiterated his support for Jayson Tatum in the face of ongoing doubts about the team’s resilience. Despite Tatum not matching his usual playoff performance stats in the series against the Miami Heat, Mazzulla emphasized the less tangible contributions he made.
Tatum’s statistical averages in the five games against Miami were 21.8 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game, with shooting percentages of 41.6% from the field and 29% from three-point range. However, Mazzulla chose to highlight Tatum’s defensive prowess, particularly his performance in pick-and-roll defense and defensive rebounding, as well as his decision-making on offense.
Mazzulla praised Tatum’s growth throughout the season and his ability to adapt his game to different situations, emphasizing the importance of his versatility. Both Tatum and Jaylen Brown emphasized the significance of advancing past Miami but acknowledged the challenges ahead, especially with Kristaps Porzingis sidelined for the next round.
Brown expressed confidence in the team’s ability to face these challenges, emphasizing that they are still in the process of proving themselves. The Celtics will benefit from extra rest before their next game, thanks to the outcome of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic series.
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