According to Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla, there is no right or wrong way to handle a stretch run.

Milwaukee — The big guys for the Celtics, Al Horford (toe) and Kristaps Porzingis (hamstring) were largely held out to rest as the team navigates the final days of the regular season with the Eastern Conference’s top seed assured.

With just three games left in the regular season, the Celtics will take a week off while the play-in round is underway. Teams in similar circumstances occasionally try to replicate a postseason match at least once in the final stages. Coach Joe Mazzulla, nevertheless, stated he has no idea how Boston will go.

He declared, “We’re in a unique position.” There isn’t actually a correct or wrong response. It’s like you have to cross a lot of boxes about health, rhythm, and improvement. So long as it shows up, all will be well. However, because this period is so unique, there are many various ways to improve within it, and there is ultimately no right or wrong answer.

Thus, it has occasionally involved movies, at other times walkthroughs, playing, and at still other times a little bit of everything. More than anything else, we just need to continue what the guys have been doing well throughout the season.

In the two games prior, Mazzulla rested his starters for the majority of the fourth quarter despite it being unclear how the game would turn out.

He remarked, “I just felt at the time that was the best thing for our team.” “We continue to work on the areas that need to be worked on and kind of put those [bench] people in that position. Therefore, while it wasn’t something we had planned at the time, it was in the best interests of the team.

According to guard Derrick White, the Celtics can’t suddenly snap their fingers and go into playoff mentality when the postseason starts. But he’s sure they’ll be prepared.

“We just need to be well-prepared and practice a lot to get our minds right,” White stated. “I don’t see why we would change now; I think we’ve just been focused on it and have had the right mindset all year.”

Queta joins the Celtics for the playoffs
Neemias Queta, a center with the Boston Celtics, had his two-way contract changed into a regular NBA agreement on Monday, allowing him to play in the postseason. This season, Queta has made 26 appearances with the Celtics, averaging 4.6 points and 4.1 rebounds.

It affirms him,” Mazzulla remarked. It affirms his efforts. It confirms what he has been doing all season long. It supports the G League’s development team and employees. All of that, in my opinion, goes toward the intention of being able to convert when you sign players like that. That therefore speaks highly of everyone concerned, beginning with him.

Creating history every week
After leading the Celtics to a 4-0 run, center Kristaps Porzingis was voted Eastern Conference Player of the Week with an average of 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks. With four players winning the trophy in the same season, the Celtics made NBA history as the first team to do so. White, Jaylen Brown, and Jayson Tatum had already received recognition.

“Please save the player of the weeks for me please, guys,” White quipped. “You can have the other things.”