Billy Donovan rants over Celtics' decision to Hack-a-Shaq Andre Drummond: "I didn't like that"

Intentional fouling helped the Celtics clinch the In-Season QF berth.

© David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

The embarrassment that the Chicago Bulls have felt from their 27-point loss against the Boston Celtics in their In-Season Tournament group play finale is deeply rooted in Joe Mazzulla’s implementation of a sketchy tactic against Andre Drummond.

In dire need to enhance their point differential to be able to advance to the Tournament's knockout round, the Celtics have maximized their margin and went on to apply a “Hack-a-Shaq” – a strategy wherein a team intentionally fouls a particular player – against Drummond.

Coach Mazzulla applied the scheme even when they were up by 32 with roughly seven minutes left. The plan went on to become successful as they were able to enter the quarterfinal round upon knotting a dominant 124-97 victory – winning the three-team tiebreaker over the Orlando Magic and the Brooklyn Nets in East Group C.

Celtics were intentionally fouling Andre Drummond while up 32 POINTS with 7:02 in the 4Q

Joe Mazzulla had to explain to Billy Donovan they needed to win by 23 to have a chance to advance 😂 pic.twitter.com/4rEoWvHfus

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 29, 2023

But what Mazzulla and the Celtics have committed didn't simply sit well in the perspective of Bulls coach Billy Donovan.

Donovan did not like that 

In the postgame, Donovan ranted over the Celtics’ actions of purposely fouling Drummond – a notoriously low free-throw shooter – just for point differential purposes of their In-Season pursuit.

While Mazzulla informed Donovan about the goal of their intentional fouling against Drummond during a play stoppage, the Chicago mentor still developed ill feelings about what happened.

"Andre [Drummond] is a veteran guy. And I told [Mazzulla]: 'What are we doing here?'" Donovan said. "I get it on keeping your guys in, wanting to get in [the quarterfinals]. The league has made it a big deal. But for me, it was just the fouling. And Joe was great when I talked to him."

Accordingly, Mazzulla followed Donovan in the hallway after the game and sent his apologies about the strategy. The young Celtics coach also reached out to the veteran center – a career 47.7 free-throw shooter – who sank one of his six foul shots throughout the game.

"They're trying to get to [Las] Vegas. It's just a tough situation. He has to coach his team and do what he feels is right," Donovan noted. "Play [your starters] all the way to the end. I got no problem with that. But I just thought it was putting Andre in a tough spot in a 30-point game. I didn't like that.

A risky plot

Like other coaches in the league, Donovan expressed his doubts about the context of point differential that the NBA applies in the In-Season Tournament.

For Donovan, the said ruling puts risks at the condition of players, referencing both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown who are still on the court despite dropping over 30 points apiece in an already decided ball game.

"This is what the league has done with the point differential. And I feel bad for them from this standpoint: God forbid in a game that [someone becomes injured]. When you're up 30 and there's 5 minutes to go in the game and you have all your main guys in there and potentially someone gets hurt over the In-Season Tournament because of points? Man. But I understand the league has made a big deal of it. Everybody is trying to take it serious,” he said. 

Billy Donovan did not like the Celtics decision to purposefully foul Andre Drummond in the fourth quarter.

Ceded that teams have to chase point differential, but felt that crossed the line.

“I just felt bad for Andre in that situation.” pic.twitter.com/ZmGuwX6Y6r

— Julia Poe (@byjuliapoe) November 29, 2023

Chicago Bulls go winless in the NBA's In-Season Tournament after getting walloped by the Boston Celtics 124-97