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Joe Mazzulla says he’s ‘ready for war’ ahead of pivotal Celtics Game 6
Celtics
Mazzulla says he is prepared for the most important recreation of his NBA teaching profession.
On Thursday, Joe Mazzulla will coach the most important recreation of his NBA teaching profession.
How prepared is he, with the Celtics’ again towards the wall in a do-or-die Recreation 6 on the highway at Philadelphia?
“I’m prepared for conflict,” Mazzulla instructed reporters earlier than the sport on Monday.
Mazzulla, who confronted criticism this week for not calling a timeout on the finish of Recreation 4 and for the group’s lackluster efficiency in Recreation 5, has made a change to the beginning lineup for Recreation 6.
The Celtics will begin Robert Williams III as a substitute of Derrick White. The transfer marks a return to the Celtics’ double-big lineup with Williams beginning alongside Al Horford.
“Simply offers us a distinct look,” Mazzulla mentioned. “I feel at his finest, Rob offers us a raise, particularly on the defensive finish. So, I’m on the lookout for that.”
The transfer comes after Philadelphia middle and league MVP Joel Embiid tallied a mixed 67 factors and 20 rebounds over his final two video games. The Celtics had been outrebounded 49-36 on their house flooring throughout Tuesday’s loss in Recreation 5.
The Celtics will lean on Williams for assist with that.
“Simply his presence on the rim, his capability to protect on the perimeter and rebound and display screen for us,” Mazzulla mentioned. “I feel these issues he’s actually been good at all year long and that’s what we’re on the lookout for from him tonight.”
The Celtics, who path the sequence 3-2, can be eradicated with a loss on Thursday evening. A win in Recreation 6 would power a decisive Recreation 7 at TD Backyard.
