Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla was heated at the end of the game in loss to the Chicago Bulls but he calmed down eventually. That is if his statement post game is to be believed.
The champion coach came after referee Justin Van Duyne while shouting expletives during the tail-end of the game. He had to be restrained by at least three people or else he would have done something to the poor official.
His frustration started when Payton Pritchard was called after a loose ball midway in the fourth quarter. Then in the last three minutes, just when they were trying mightily to get back to the game, his superstars Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum were slapped with one technical foul each.
The Celtics lost and Mazzulla, who is known for his extraordinary interview comments, made sure that the officials will hear it.
When asked what he told the officials, he sarcastically said post game:
“I haven’t seen them in a while, so just a ‘Merry Christmas’ and a ‘Happy Holiday.'” he told reporters.
“I wasn’t sure if I was going to see them before the holiday, and I just can’t let somebody go by without wishing them the best to them and theirs and their families.”
Jayson Tatum shows support for Joe Mazzulla
Tatum scored 31 points in the game. It was a wasted output for him but he is more concerned about the way the game ended.
He clarifies that he does not blame the officials about the results. He does not think they lost because of them.
However, he rues it that the players had a minimal say about the outcome because of wrong calls.
“It was tough. That segment that Justin [Van Duyne] had changed that, not the outcome of the game . . the segment of the game. You don’t necessarily want that, you want the players to play and dictate the game.”
Tatum and the rest of the Celtics will try to pull a revenge game on Saturday as they are now the ones who will pay the Bulls a visit.
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