Morning Sports Update
“I don’t care if he’s 0-for-10. If you’re open, shoot it.”
Joe Mazzulla’s take on the Celtics’ loss to the Pistons: The Celtics‘ reworked roster got off to a strong start in Tuesday’s mid-day season opener against the Pistons.
Yet after amassing a 22-point second-half lead, Boston lost control of the game. Detroit, spurred by a 23-0 run, stormed back to win 121-113.
Afterward, Boston head coach Joe Mazzulla defended Jayson Tatum. The Celtics’ primary scoring option totaled 13 points on 6-for-23 shooting (including going 0-for-7 from 3-point range). Boston’s head coach focused on the stat that Tatum did contribute in a plentiful way: 11 assists.
“I just want him to continue to make the right play,” Mazzulla said after citing Tatum’s assist total. “If he’s open, shoot it. I don’t care if he’s 0-for-10. If you’re open, shoot it.”
As for how his team faltered down the stretch, Mazzulla noted that it was offensive shortcomings.
“I think some of our empty offensive possessions led to their transition,” he said, per Jay King of The Athletic.
As for Paul George, whose 38 points in his Celtics debut was undoubtedly a breath of fresh air, Mazzulla praised the 36-year-old.
“The game found him,” said Mazzulla of George. “He made some great reads throughout the game. It was good that he was able to find advantages for himself and others and be aggressive. We just have to continue that.”
Trivia: Paul George broke Kristaps Porzingis’s record for most points scored in a Celtics debut (George totaled 38, topping Porzingis’s previous record of 30). Prior to those two, who held the team record?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: It happened in 1994.
Scores and schedules:
The Celtics and Bruins both lost on Tuesday. The Celtics dropped the season opener in Detroit to the Pistons, 121-113. The Bruins fell to the Stars in Dallas 3-2 in overtime.
The Bruins return to TD Garden to play the Predators on Thursday at 7 p.m.
The Celtics hold their home opener on Friday against the Knicks at 7 p.m.
The Patriots take the field on Thursday night in Chicago for a test against the Bears at 8:15 p.m.
More from Boston.com:
Drake Maye mic’d up: Go behind-the-scenes (sort of) as the Patriots’ quarterback led his team past the Jets.
On this day: In 1975, Carlton Fisk famously waved his walk-off home run fair in Game 6 of the World Series.
Daily highlight: While it might be tough for Celtics fans to see, Jaylen Brown got off to a strong start with the 76ers (posting 19 points with eight rebounds and six assists in a win).
Trivia answer: Dominique Wilkins
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