Joe Mazzulla: ‘We’re Starting To Play What I Would Call Celtic Basketball'

Joe Mazzulla gave his Boston Celtics some praise after going 14-0 at home.

Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Celtics continued their dominance at home, staying undefeated and sweeping the Orlando Magic in their two-game miniseries. They went 4-0 on the week against them and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Orlando made it a close one thanks to another excellent showing from Paolo Banchero. The Celtics were once again just too much on both ends, as they even made the Magic look out of sorts again.

Jaylen Brown once again performed like his All-NBA self from last season, taking care of the basketball and having some great dimes to find teammates with his six assists and five rebounds. He made TD Garden erupt with pull-up triples and electric two-way play. Kristaps Porzingis also recorded 15 points and 10 rebounds, and Jrue Holiday had 14 points and six rebounds of his own.

After Brown hit back-to-back pull-up triples in transition in the fourth quarter, Joe Mazzulla let out some emotion of his own in excitement with a fist-pump. The Celtics' coach was asked about it postgame.

"I think the players need to see that sometimes," Mazzulla said. "I do, like everybody else, care about winning, and I do have fun, and I just thought it was a moment to show, like, I think we're starting to play what I would call Celtic basketball. From a mentality standpoint, from a toughness standpoint, from a defensive standpoint and identity, reflecting what it means to play like the Celtics. And I think this week we've shown that, and the crowd has helped that, and I think our players really work it to execute and buying in have helped that."

Mazzulla gave his team's top-notch play and Brown their credit. He sees leadership growth as well.

"So I just thought it was a moment, a cool moment to be able to take that in, and it starts with our guys," he said. "Jaylen has really grown as a player. What he did in the fourth quarter was just playmaking—making the right play. Whether it was passing or scoring, getting to his spot and it's been really fun to watch him grow as a player this year and our team. Our team's mindset."

The Celtics look to continue their hot play out west, as they will be hosted by the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday at 10 p.m. on TNT.