Astute fans of the Boston Celtics may have noticed that head coach Joe Mazzulla has been leaning on his bench more than in his first season at the helm of the club — and mixing it up while he does so to good effect. Mazzulla was asked about this tendency after the Celtics’ 113-103 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday, and affirmed his focus on getting players reps while soaking in a glimpse of what they can do with opportunity.
“We’ve been playing eight (players) for the majority of the season, but you have to find opportunities for the other guys,” said Mazzulla via CLNS Media’s Bobby Manning.
“That’s something I’m much more comfortable doing this year,” he added, “leaving a lineup out there a little bit longer.”
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“You have to find that balance,” suggested the Celtics coach. “It might cost you a 6-0 run, an 8-0 run. I won’t let it cost us a game.”
In the win over the Hawks, two way big man Neemias Queta put up 10 boards off the bench — including 6 offensive boards — and Sam Hauser continued to cook with 12 points on 4-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc.
While it is yet early in the season, such an approach will go a long way towards ensuring the best possible health and reservoirs of energy for the postseason should Mazzulla keep it up. And it certainly doesn’t hurt to develop the talent already on your roster when it doesn’t cost you games.
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