Joe Mazzulla Explains What Went Wrong in Loss vs. Philadelphia 76ers

Joe Mazzulla focused on Boston Celtics' defensive shortcomings.

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

On Wednesday, the Boston Celtics suffered a 106-103 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. Boston now holds the second slot in the Eastern Conference standings.

Joe Mazzulla believes giving up offensive rebounds was a key contributor to the team’s defeat.

Joe Mazzulla on what went wrong for the Celtics in tonight's loss to Philly pic.twitter.com/sZgtDTcklZ

— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) November 9, 2023

“I thought it was the second quarter, when we gave up the offensive rebounds in transition. We had some sloppy play. When you go back and watch close games, it’s never really lost in the fourth quarter. Sometimes they are. You look at that run in the second quarter, where we gave up three or four straight offensive rebounds… I think it was lost there.”

On offense, the Celtics made 31.9 percent of their 47 three-point attempts. 

As captured by CLNS Media, Mazzulla went back-and-forth with the Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn over an article from 2016 that criticized the team’s overreliance on three-point shots. The head coach referenced a match-up from Dec. 16, 2016, in which Boston fell short to the Detroit Pistons.

“I just finished reading a great article that you wrote in 2016, that the Celtics shot too many threes and they shot 42. That was seven years ago... they lost 121-114 and you blamed the offense but not the defense. What’s your fascination with too many threes for the last seven years?”

The Celtics’ next game is scheduled for Friday, November 10, against the Brooklyn Nets at TD Garden. This will be their first group-stage match of the NBA’s inaugural in-season tournament. 

Further Reading

Kristaps Porzingis Assesses Celtics Last Attempt in Loss to 76ers

Celtics Enamored with Threes That Don't Love Them Back in Loss vs. 76ers

Examining What Went Wrong for Celtics' Offense in Loss vs. Timberwolves

Here's What Stood Out as Celtics Suffer First Loss This Season in OT Tilt vs. Timberwolves

Jayson Tatum Discusses the Bond Between Him and the City He Stars In

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Jrue Holiday Discusses Celtics' Offense and Their Mindset: 'That's How Most People Like to Play Basketball'

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