BOSTON — Before the Boston Celtics’ In-Season Tournament game against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night, head coach Joe Mazzulla was asked whether he felt obligated to push for the point differential needed to advance. His response?
“Zero.”
Fast forward three quarters later, and the Celtics’ starters were trotted back out onto the court with 7:34 to go in the fourth.
“We didn’t know we were going to be in that position to start the game,” Mazzulla said post-game. “And so, when we got to that point, I felt like it was time to execute and put ourselves in position to advance into the tournament.