Scalabrine: Mazzulla ‘might have to make tough decision’ amid C’s struggles

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Scalabrine: Mazzulla ‘might have to make tough decision’ amid C’s struggles originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Celtics boast one of the NBA’s most fearsome starting lineups when at full strength. Oddly enough, the group’s undeniable talent hasn’t translated to success on their quest for a repeat.

Boston is 5-5 this season with its “preferred” starting lineup of Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Kristaps Porzingis. With that lineup Wednesday in Toronto, the Celtics were thoroughly outplayed on both ends of the court en route to a resounding 110-97 loss.

Porzingis was a bright spot for the C’s with 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting (4-5 3-PT). The Non-Porzingis starters, however, shot a combined 16-for-51 (31.4 percent) from the floor. Payton Pritchard was the only other Celtic in double figures with a team-high 20 points off the bench.

After Wednesday’s head-scratching loss, NBC Sports Boston’s Celtics analyst Brian Scalabrine suggested it may be time for coach Joe Mazzulla to make some lineup adjustments.

“Joe Mazzulla might have to make a tough decision right here,” Scalabrine said, as seen in the video player above. ” ‘You know what? I’ve got a lot of dogs on this bench, I’m just gonna go with the guys who are playing the hardest. I’m just gonna go with maybe the ‘Stay Ready Group’ or Pritchard, (Sam) Hauser, you can throw (Luke) Kornet in there, Al Horford.’ If those guys are making an impact, you just have to go with those guys.”

It isn’t unusual for defending champions to go through the motions midway through the season. It probably isn’t a coincidence that Porzingis, who missed a chunk of the season recovering from injury, and Pritchard, who consistently makes the most of his minutes off the bench, showed the most effort in Wednesday’s defeat. As for the everyday starters, perhaps they’re struggling to fend off the “wake us up for the playoffs” mindset.

Scalabrine believes Mazzulla and the C’s could benefit from prioritizing effort over talent while they work out their issues.

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/scalabrine-mazzulla-might-tough-decision-151607214.html

Author : NBC Sports Boston

Publish date : 2025-01-16 15:16:00

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