Joe Mazzulla Addresses Recent Criticism of Jaylen Brown, Praises Jayson Tatum For Empowering Teammates

Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis scored a combined 71 points.

David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

On Tuesday night, the Boston Celtics took a 120-113 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. All five players in Boston’s starting lineup scored in the double-digits.

After a two-point performance in the first half, Kristaps Porzingis registered a team-high 19 points in the second half. Per Inside The Celtics, head coach Joe Mazzulla praised Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum’s willingness to involve Porzingis in their offensive scheme.

“I thought the empowerment of Jaylen and Jayson, even though they were both playing well, they got him the ball in his spots if necessary, and he was able to make plays and get to the free-throw line. Tonight is another example of success looking different for him.”

Mazzulla also addressed recent criticism of Brown. The two-time NBA All-Star totaled zero assists in recent games against the Indiana Pacers and Philadelphia 76ers.

“We look at potential assists. To me, it’s one of the most misleading things to say a guy didn’t get an assist. It doesn’t mean that he didn’t pass. It doesn’t mean he didn’t make the right read. It means on his potential assist opportunities (that) those shots didn’t go in."

Boston's bench boss continued, "Jaylen averaged like 5.5 potential assists in those two games (that he registered zero assists). In reality, we don’t need him to average more potential assists. We need him to score. We need to put him in positions where he can get out in transition and get inside the paint.”

Mazzulla later praised Tatum’s ability to set screens.

“Jayson is one of the better screeners in the league but we don’t get the screen assist on the box score. D-White’s pick-and-rolls are highly efficient because of the ability to screen with JT… It’s about how they make people around them better and how they empower their teammates.”

The Celtics’ next game, scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 14, is also against the Cavaliers at TD Garden; tip-off is at 7:30 p.m. EST.