Mazzulla on Derrick White’s game vs. the Heat: ‘The plays he made tonight were sick, right?’

Joe Mazzulla couldn’t resist marveling at Derrick White, who made some “sick” plays for the Celtics against the Heat Friday night.

The Boston Celtics earned a 119-111 win over the visiting Miami Heat Friday night. It was a solid first game back at TD Garden and a bit of revenge for the Celtics, who fell to Miami in Boston during Game 7 of last season’s Eastern Conference Finals. Friday’s outcome doesn’t undo the past, but a loud team win certainly helps the team start this new regular season campaign on the right foot.

Derrick White was a big part of that victory for Boston. He led the Celtics in scoring with 28 points, 3 assists, and 6 rebounds. On defense, he was even more effective. White made several key stops for Boston, including emphatic blocks, including a big play to stop Jimmy Butler from connecting on a breakaway dunk. After the game, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla spoke candidly about White’s effort.

“The plays he made tonight were sick, right?” Mazzulla asked with a smile. “They’re just sick plays. That’s the only way you can describe it — that’s just what he does.”