Joe Mazzulla Reflects on Celtics' Latest Third-Quarter Letdown: 'We Have to Have the Understanding You Just Can't Relax'

The Heat's 46-25 third-quarter haymaker propelled them past the Celtics in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Third quarters have consistently been a bugaboo for the Celtics. It's a problem that's persisted for years. Wednesday, on their home floor in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, it happened again.

While the Heat raised their focus, physicality, and tempo, the hosts were less sharp than in the first half when they produced 40 points in the paint. That translated to the visitors landing a 46-25 haymaker, propelling them to a series-opening 123-116 victory.

A day later, with more time to reflect and study the film of what unfolded, head coach Joe Mazzulla expressed the following.

Joe Mazzulla: "We have to have the understanding that you can't relax" pic.twitter.com/gZQcq8LvfD

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

"I think you just try to focus on building an awareness to how it's going. I thought we did a lot of good things in the first half, but we have to have the understanding you just can't relax. And so, especially in this series, and this situation that we're in, teams are gonna make a run. And so, it is a matter of both: when you get into a situation when you're up ten or 13, can you finish the quarter the right way?

"We ended the second quarter last night the same way we did in Game 1 against Philly. We were up 13 points, and they cut it to a substantially smaller lead by the end of it. And so, we've got to manage the end of quarters really well. And how you start quarters and end quarters are extremely important. And then you also have to know the other team's gonna go on a run. And so, how do you manage that as a team? How do we work through that."

Pointing to Jimmy Butler countering Marcus Smart's transition three with an offensive rebound and an and-one that put Miami ahead 79-78 with 6:28 left in the third quarter, Mazzulla voiced, "Just knowing what allows teams to hang around, and what gives teams momentum throughout games, and how you kind of shut that down as fast as you can."

Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Considering how long the issue of not playing with the necessary energy and focus after halftime has lingered, it seems more about mindset than schematics.

But poor spacing undermines any offensive operation, and it's a problem Boston consistently brings up after a loss. Thursday at the Auerbach Center, Mazzulla offered the following on the subject.

"It just depends on what our lineups are. We have our double-big lineup; we have our small lineup, and you have different spacing depending on what personnel's in the game. There's spacing in the first six seconds of the shot clocking, there's spacing in the middle, and then there's spacing at the end where we want to try to get it. So, it's just one of those small details that's extremely important, and you can't take the simple things for granted. No matter the stakes and no matter the importance of the game, or the series, or the situation that we're in."

Poor spacing played a meaningful role in why the Celtics came up short against the Warriors in last year's Finals. If they don't stay organized for more of the remaining matchups in this series and can't limit letting go of the rope to the third quarter of Wednesday's shortcoming, there's unlikely to be a return trip to the next round.

Further Reading

Celtics Discuss Heat Outscoring Them 46-25 in Third Quarter of Game 1: 'We Allowed Them to Do What They Wanted'

Celtics Address 'Letting Go of the Rope' After Game 1 Loss to Heat

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Game 1 Loss: Heat's Third-Quarter Haymaker Propels Them to 1-0 Lead

Malcolm Brogdon Opens Up About Sacrificing as Celtics' Sixth Man: 'It’s Not Easy; It Really Isn’t'

NBA Draft Lottery Yields Unfavorable Result for Celtics

With Defense Key to Celtics Staying a Step Ahead of Heat, Joe Mazzulla Confirms Robert Williams Sticking in Starting Lineup

The Celtics are Motivated to Win a Championship for Al Horford, 'The Guy We've Followed All Season'

Jayson Tatum Discusses His Relationship with Celtics Fans: 'I Love Being Here'

Jaylen Brown Discusses Whether Making an All-NBA Team Provides Clarity About His Future