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Joe Mazzulla’s bizarre gamble backfires in Celtics Game 7 loss to 76ers | Brian Robb
TL;DR
Joe Mazzulla's unconventional lineup changes led to the Celtics' Game 7 loss to the 76ers, particularly after Jayson Tatum was scratched due to injury. Mazzulla's decision to start lesser-known players instead of more reliable options backfired during the critical playoff game.
Key points
- Joe Mazzulla made unexpected lineup changes for Game 7
- Jayson Tatum was scratched due to knee stiffness
- Celtics' starting five had a -9.4 net rating in the series
- Mazzulla's choices included lesser-known players
- The Celtics lost to the 76ers in Game 7
Mentioned in this story
Joe MazzullaJayson TatumDerrick WhiteJaylen BrownLuka GarzaRon Harper Jr.Baylor Scheierman
Celtics
BOSTON — Joe Mazzulla has never been known for his playoff adjustments but he was forced into making at least one Saturday night. Jayson Tatum was a late scratch due to left knee stiffness about two hours before tip, taking Boston’s biggest star out of the starting five.
The Celtics had played 66 regular-season games without Tatum this year so while losing Boston’s best player was a massive loss, the team was certainly well equipped to proceed without him. Mazzulla had done so in the regular season with great success with a versatile lineup. Boston’s starting five all series had been bad (-9.4 net rating) so a change was overdue regardless.
The options seemed simple. The Celtics had been at their best with Payton Pritchard on the floor all series long so he was a logical candidate to slide in. Elsewhere, Baylor Scheierman had outplayed Sam Hauser in stretches. Maybe Jordan Walsh would get a chance for his defense in that spot too. Mazzulla refused to reveal his changes in his pregame press conference per usual but it would be telling what direction he went in.
However, no one was quite ready for the extremes that Mazzulla went to after six games of limited personnel adjustments. Mazzulla opted for a triple-switch, going with a veteran’s minimum signing (Luka Garza), a two-way forward for most of the season (Ron Harper Jr.) and Scheierman alongside Derrick White and Jaylen Brown.
Q&A
What happened to Jayson Tatum before Game 7 against the 76ers?
Jayson Tatum was a late scratch due to left knee stiffness just two hours before the game.
How did Joe Mazzulla adjust the Celtics' lineup for Game 7?
Mazzulla made a surprising triple-switch, starting Luka Garza, Ron Harper Jr., and Baylor Scheierman alongside Derrick White and Jaylen Brown.
What was the Celtics' net rating with their starting five during the series?
The Celtics' starting five had a poor net rating of -9.4 throughout the series.
Why did Joe Mazzulla's lineup changes draw criticism?
Mazzulla's decision to start lesser-known players instead of more effective options was seen as a gamble that ultimately backfired in a crucial playoff game.
