We have seen only three series thus far in the NBA playoffs reach their Game 2s, and of those three series, two of them are now at 1-1. What appeared to be quick starts from the Knicks and the Nuggets on Saturday reversed course on Monday, and now both teams–favored in their respective matchups–are heading on the road badly in need of a win lest their series get out of hand quickly. There’s a good lesson there for the Boston Celtics.
In Game 1 at home against the Sixers, Boston dominated, 123-91, behind 26 points from Jaylen Brown and a 25-point, 11-rebounds, seven-assist showing from Jayson Tatum. The two stars were excellent, but the Celtics as a whole rolled over Philly in the opener, as the Celtics shot 50% from the field and had six players in double figures scoring.
The Sixers, meanwhile, shot a measly 36% and made only four 3-pointers, a full 13 fewer than Boston on the evening.
NBA Playoff Game 1 Winners Can Be Too Lax in Game 2
It’s not a new concept when it comes to playoff basketball, but Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla is of the type who sees a 32-point playoff win and gets a bit nervous. Whatever the cliche, the Celtics are at risk in Game 2–having a letdown, taking their foot off the gas, falling asleep at the wheel, you name it.
Coming off a big win against an undermanned team in Game 1, there is a temptation to lay off in Game 2. That’s human nature. But it’s also human nature that if the Sixers come out shooting and playing well early in Game 2, they can take the TD Garden crowd out of the game, build up some confidence and return to Philadelphia tied, 1-1.
The Nuggets were on the receiving end of that equation against the Timberwolves on Monday. So were the Knicks, against the Hawks. Mazzulla does not want that Celtics finding their way into the same problem.
Joe Mazzulla Celtics Should Avoid Complacency in Game 2
Speaking to reporters before Game 2, Mazzulla had a blunt warning for his Celtics as they prepped for the Sixers again: Leave Game 1 behind them.
Said Mazzulla: “You try to create a process to where the past result doesn’t impact the future process, and we’ve talked about that preseason, regular season. We’ve had big wins. We’ve had to come in and watch the film and show we’ve had to get better. We’ve had tough losses. We’ve come in and had to show things that we’ve had to get better. That just remains the same.
“There’s a humility aspect of, what it looks like we’re at our best to play in a certain type of way from a physicality standpoint, an effort standpoint, which we try to bring every night, and then there’s just possessions that you have to get better at regardless of if you win or not. We’ve tried to keep that process, but we had great preparation today at practice, and also every game takes on a life of its own. We just got to be ready to give the game what it needs.”
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