Boston head coach Joe Mazzulla blames offense over defense for Game 1 loss vs. 76ers

The Celtics coach may have raised eyebrows more than once after practice while addressing the media by suggesting the loss was no setback.

Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla spoke at the team’s practice after the Celtics lost to the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal.

Mazzulla said hindsight is 20-20 regarding how Boston covered Sixers star James Harden and the Philadelphia offense in the loss. The Celtics head coach pointed back to the offense, which turned the ball over at a high rate and didn’t manage the game well.

Mazzulla also said the loss wasn’t a letdown, an observation that perhaps raised a few eyebrows given the clear blow to the Celtics’ hopes of taking advantage of the absence of 76ers superstar big man Joel Embiid as he nurses a knee sprain back to health.

CLNS Media’s Bobby Manning reported live from the team’s practice facilities at Auerbach Center after the Celtics’ practiced ahead of Game 2 on Wednesday.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=590969556]

[mm-video type=video id=01gzd0s6hsmnnrb7vpgd playlist_id=01eqbzegwgnrje4tv2 player_id=01eqbvq570kgj8vfs7 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gzd0s6hsmnnrb7vpgd/01gzd0s6hsmnnrb7vpgd-93cb2958e2b5a49dddef05acd8b6d268.jpg]