Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla ordered his side to enjoy clinching home-court advantage throughout the play-offs – for one night only.
The Celtics beat Oklahoma City Thunder 135-100 – Kristaps Porzingis pouring in 27 points, adding to 24 from Jayson Tatum and 23 from Jaylen Brown – to ensure they will finish the season with the best record in the NBA.
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Boston are 60-16 for the year and looking in good shape as the post-season approaches.
Mazzulla said: “It’s very hard to do. We may never be in this position again.
“We talked about it as a team. We talked about it before the game, to try to treat this game as the clincher. To kind of put that on ourselves to be able to do that.
“I think it was important for us to simulate that. We should enjoy it tonight, and when we wake up tomorrow – nobody cares.”
D-White peeled ’em and KP put it down
Tonight’s @JetBlue Play of the Game was a big time jam pic.twitter.com/p6N9oxmSVm
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 4, 2024
Brown was pleased with the team’s progress but warned having momentum heading into the play-offs doesn’t necessarily equate to success.
He said: “We’re not skipping any steps. Sixty wins. I think we’re on track. When the play-offs start, it’s back to square one.”
The Thunder were never really in the contest without leading scorer Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Josh Giddey top-scored with 17 points for them with Luguentz Dort adding 15.
