Inside The Celtics

Joe Mazzulla's Message to the Celtics After Clinching Season Series vs. Sixers

Jayson Tatum's late-game heroics propelled the Celtics to a series-clinching win vs. the Sixers.

Bobby Krivitsky

Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
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Saturday's heavyweight slugfest between the Celtics and Sixers resembled a playoff game in terms of atmosphere and physicality.

The latter of those two and the slow pace that came with it were central components of a low-scoring first half, in which Boston committed eight turnovers. The visitors entered the break down 56-50.

Giveaways in the early stages of the third frame led to Philadelphia building a 15-point advantage, its largest lead of the night.

But after a Marcus Smart charge turned into a James Harden three, putting the hosts ahead 67-52 at the 8:21 mark in the third quarter, the Celtics elevated their play at both ends of the floor.

Boston locked in defensively, limiting the Sixers to 22 points in the period, their lowest output of any frame. Those stops made it easier for the visitors to play with more pace. That got the Celtics in rhythm, exemplified by Al Horford going from a scoreless first half to burying four threes in the third quarter, igniting Boston's offense.

The Celtics put 30 points on the board that period, doing so for the first time in the game, storming back to take an 80-78 lead into the final 12 minutes.

And as the visitors continued stifling Philadelphia's offense, converting stops and steals into transition points, Boston built its first double-digit advantage of the night when Jaylen Brown came from behind Joel Embiid, stripping the ball and turning it into a layup that gave the Celtics a 95-85 edge with 7:11 to go.

But a missed layup by Malcolm Brogdon off a baseline cut and a turnover by Brown opened the door for the Sixers to land a counterpunch that got them back in the game and brought the crowd at Wells Fargo Center to life.

It also set the stage for an incredible and fitting ending to Saturday's rivalry clash, as Jayson Tatum provided the late-game heroics that propelled Boston to victory. Embiid nearly forced overtime, swishing a heave from in front of Philadelphia's three-point line, but couldn't beat the buzzer.

The Celtics' 110-107 win clinches the season series for Boston, who improves to 3-0 against the Sixers in 2022-23.

After the game, Tatum and Embiid discussed the final sequence, including what the former told his teammates in the huddle during the timeout before he buried the winning three.

In the locker room, Joe Mazzulla told the Celtics, "we've got to maintain a level of poise. And my only job is to hold you to the standard of how good this team can be; it's not to let you stay there. That's my only job is to bring you to where you can be. That's the most important thing, alright. And you guys did a great job of that in the second half.

"I'll leave you with a question, what separates greatness? That's what we have to constantly be in search of, what separates greatness."

The Celtics captured Mazzulla's message on social media. Warning, the video contains the use of explicit language.

Further Reading

Jayson Tatum Discusses His Game-Winning Shot vs. Sixers, Including His Message to the Celtics in the Preceding Timeout

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Victory vs. Sixers: Tatum Comes Through in the Clutch as Boston Wins Season Series

Film Room: How the Celtics Defend Joel Embiid

[Film Room] What Worked for Celtics' Starters vs. Pacers and What Needs Addressing

Jaylen Brown Reveals How Protective Mask Impacts His Game

Top Celtics Buyout Option Set to Reach Free Agency

Jayson Tatum Unveils Jordan Tatum 1's

Wyc Grousbeck Expects Celtics to Make Another Move: 'We’re Not Saving Roster Spots for a Rainy Day'

Published
Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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