NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: HEAT VS. CELTICS

May 19, 2023

Joe Mazzulla

Boston Celtics

Game 2: Postgame

Miami Heat 111, Boston Celtics 105

Q. Joe, you guys didn't make a field goal over the last basically four minutes. What happened down the stretch?

JOE MAZZULLA: I thought we got good looks just didn't think we made them.

Q. The team's execution, you had turnovers, offensive fouls, it seems to be a recurring issue down the stretch of close games. Why does that keep happening?

JOE MAZZULLA: The offensive fouls, if there's someone there, we have to kick it to the next open guy. They did a good job of protecting the paint. And some of the turnovers were unfortunate. Just lost the ball at half court.

But when we did get a shot off, we got a good one and we just have to execute better. We have to find the open man.

Q. Joe, is it a consideration to double Jimmy Butler, especially when he seems like in this series he's getting to his spots and he scores on any one single defender you have?

JOE MAZZULLA: I think when he misses we have to get the rebound. So, we gave up two very, very critical offensive rebounds. And then we gave up -- we let Duncan Robinson get loose for a couple threes in the fourth quarter.

So, I think focusing on the role guys getting going is more important than that. When he misses, we have to get the rebound. So, I thought we played relatively good defense on possessions and we didn't finish plays.

Q. Defensively what did they do in the last six minutes to make it hard for you guys to score?

JOE MAZZULLA: They played zone. But I thought we played at a better pace. I thought Jayson just made the right play, got the ball where it needed to go, whether it was him or others. When we didn't turn it over, I thought we got good looks.

Q. The way Miami played tonight, this is really textbook them over the years. You guys have faced them so many different times over the last few years, so you know what to expect about how they close out, how they try to swipe and trap. So why do you think you guys can't stay a step ahead even when you kind of understand what's coming?

JOE MAZZULLA: Because it comes down to the details and the margins. So, we have to when we get a stop, when we force them into a difficult shot, we have to get the rebound. When we have open shots, we have to take them. When we draw two, we have to pass it.

So, this is a series of discipline and mindset, and there were times throughout the game where we weren't the more disciplined team.

Q. I know it's a free-flowing offense and whoever gets the best look gets the shot, but is there ever a scenario in your mind where you feel like it's time to get Tatum a bucket?

JOE MAZZULLA: He had the ball in his hands almost the entire game.

Q. Right, but was there ever an emphasis like this play's going to Tatum down the stretch? Is that something that happens?

JOE MAZZULLA: Against zone that happens a lot yeah, but I thought against zone, I thought with him with the ball in his hands and the ability to make the right play, whether it was a pull-up three or the opportunity to get downhill, I thought he was extremely aggressive and I thought he did a great job with the ball in his hands making right play.

Q. What did you tell the guys after this game?

JOE MAZZULLA: We got to win one at a time.

Q. Was there any consideration to going to Rob over Al to end the game?

JOE MAZZULLA: No.

Q. What was the reasoning to go with Al over Rob in crunch time?

JOE MAZZULLA: Al's finished every game he's played.

Q. Back with Grant in the rotation, what led to the decision tonight and how did you see him faring overall?

JOE MAZZULLA: I just liked his physicality. I liked his rebounding, his ability to communicate defensively. I thought he gave us some really good minutes.

Q. You went with Derrick to start the second half, did you like that look going smaller to start?

JOE MAZZULLA: I thought it gave us a different look. I thought we were able to change the matchups a little bit. I thought we got off to a good start, yeah.

Q. You mentioned the details and the margins before, what specifically do you see the Heat doing better kind of on a consistent basis through these first two games?

JOE MAZZULLA: Not turning it over and getting extra possessions.

Q. Does that come down to rebounding, discipline? What's missing from your perspective on that?

JOE MAZZULLA: So, not turning it over is just making the right decision with the ball, whether it's you don't pass up an open shot or you kick it when you drive it. And then they got critical offensive rebounds tonight. I thought our first-shot defense was good and we didn't finish the play.

Q. I know you said you told them to just win one at a time. You guys have been in tough spots at different times and generally bounced back really strong. What do you need to see over the next couple days, what do you need to see over the rest of the series, this is obviously a more challenging predicament than you have been in?

JOE MAZZULLA: Just the consistency and the discipline and the mindset that it takes. Whether it's finishing plays, valuing the basketball, making the right play. Like it always comes down to those little things.

Q. It seems like sometimes in crunch-time situations a lot of guys take it upon themselves to try to make a play rather than I think what you're talking about making the right play. Like they're trying to do it themselves. Is that accurate? Do you see that as something that guys are trying to do a little too much on their own and not trusting each other?

JOE MAZZULLA: I mean, if you have turnovers and offensive fouls you're clearly not making the right play. You know what I mean? So, I think that you have to make better decisions. So, when we get into situations -- if you run a guy over, someone was probably open, you know.

Q. Was this a point where it's mental? I mean, it seems like they know they can get you guys, they know they can catch you guys, they didn't seem to panic. You guys seemed to have just the yips a little bit. Is it mental at this point --

JOE MAZZULLA: Yeah, I mean -- sorry.

Q. How do you get out of that mentality where you think you're playing not to lose?

JOE MAZZULLA: I think, like you said, it's a series of discipline and a mindset, so, yeah, it's mental from the standpoint of who can make the right plays at the right times, who can make the simple plays, who can win those details and those margins. So, yeah, it's definitely mental.

Q. When Grant got in Jimmy's face there, is that just a case of emotions getting the best of him?

JOE MAZZULLA: I mean, he didn't do anything wrong necessarily. So, I don't think it's emotions getting the best of him, I thought.