Joe Mazzulla Says Celtics Weren't 'Best Version' of Themselves vs. Raptors

The Boston Celtics won their last four matchups by double-digits, but on Friday night, the Toronto Raptors posed a bigger challenge.

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

On Friday, the Boston Celtics picked up a 108-105 win against the Toronto Raptors. Boston’s second victory in the NBA’s in-season tournament keeps them at the top of East Group C.

Boston started the second half with a 16 point lead, though the game was later tied with less than one minute left in regulation. Jaylen Brown scored a team-high 23 points, while Jayson Tatum registered 17 points on 8-for-22 shooting.

As captured by NBC Sports Boston, Joe Mazzulla recognized his team’s underwhelming performance but appreciated their victorious efforts.

"It was the first time all year we just weren't the best version of ourselves... it was good we were able to go through that"

Joe Mazzulla on what the team can take away from this win pic.twitter.com/WovzYs2TpS

— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) November 18, 2023

“It was the first time all year where we just weren’t the best version of ourselves, but that’s going to happen, especially with 70 games left,” said Mazzulla. “But I liked the way we just chipped away at it. … We had to learn a lot of stuff and we haven’t had that this year, so it was good that we were able to go through that.”

The Celtics’ next game is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 19, against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum; tip-off is at 8:00 p.m. EST.

Further Reading

Here's What Stood Out as Celtics Weather the Storm to Prevail vs. Raptors

Celtics Discuss Significance of Rivalry Win vs. 76ers for No. 1 Seed in East

Joe Mazzulla Discusses Keys to Celtics Second-Half Turnaround in Win Over 76ers

Here's What Stood Out as Celtics Beat 76ers in Their Best Win of Young Season

Joe Mazzulla Believes Celtics' Second Unit is 'Starting to Develop an Identity'

Kristaps Porzingis Discusses Chemistry with Jaylen Brown: 'I Love Playing with Him'

Joe Mazzulla Shares What's 'Far Exceeded My Expectations' of Kristaps Porzingis

Jaylen Brown on Celtics Learning from Losses and Building Chemistry: 'It's a Learning Curve'

From Self Doubt to Celtics History, Jayson Tatum Discusses Journey to 10,000 Points: 'I Didn't Think I Was Good Enough'

Kristaps Porzingis Gives Glimpse of How He'll Boost Celtics Late-Game Offense

Under Joe Mazzulla, Celtics Rebuilding Brotherhood Between Past and Present