The Boston Celtics suffered a brutal loss in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Playing at home they were hoping to protect their home court and jump out to an early series lead.
But, that was not the case as the Miami Heat continue their storybook run through the playoffs.
The Heat took command of Game 1 in the third quarter when they dominated the Celtics, 46-25.
The halftime adjustments of Heat coach Erik Spoelstra were too much for the Celtics to handle.
Also, the inexperience of Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla clearly showed in this game, despite the Heat being massive underdogs coming into the series.
They have a substantial head coaching advantage.
According to Nick Wright on First Things First, Mazzulla “doesn’t know what he is doing.”
“It is clear Joe Mazzulla doesn’t know what he is doing!”
— @getnickwright reacts to the Celtics Game 1 loss to the Heat pic.twitter.com/4t3HgeE6py
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) May 18, 2023
Mazzulla is a first-year coach who was thrown into this role after Ime Udoka was fired for violating team rules.
While Mazzulla helped lead the Celtics to the number two seed in the East, you can tell something is missing.
Throughout the playoffs, there have been moments where the Celtics seem unprepared.
That was certainly the case in the second half of Game 1.
Facing Spoelstra and the Heat for a series will put to test how good of a coach Mazzulla is.
The first game of the series was not a good omen for Boston.
Yet saying Mazzulla doesn’t know what he is doing is a bit harsh.
But, all coaches are graded on how they perform in the playoffs and that is no different for Mazzulla.
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