Celtics Coach Joe Mazzulla Praises Rockets’ Kevin Durant After Dominant Performance
The Houston Rockets are firing on all cylinders right now, with the integration of Kevin Durant going even smoother than expected—though given Durant’s track record, it’s no surprise he’s been able to seamlessly fit into any system.
Additionally, the Rockets have struck gold with their acquisition of Josh Okogie, who has exceeded expectations so far.
In a dominant performance over the Boston Celtics, the Rockets made quick work of their opponents, with the game essentially decided by halftime, as they led 66-48. Houston kept piling on the points in the second half, outpacing the Celtics at every turn. The Rockets capitalized on the foul line, taking 35 free throws compared to just 7 for Boston, and shot an impressive 65 percent from beyond the arc on 29 attempts.
Durant was a major reason for the Celtics’ struggles, as he was virtually unstoppable throughout the game. The 37-year-old scored 26 points on just 11 shots, hitting 8-of-11 from the field. He also went 2-of-3 from deep and 8-of-9 from the free-throw line, adding three steals and blocks for good measure.
Durant’s true shooting percentage for the game was an outstanding 86.9, while his effective field goal percentage sat at 81.8—both exceptional numbers. Simply put, Durant got whatever he wanted on the floor.
After the game, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla gave a detailed analysis of what makes Durant so tough to stop, praising his competitive nature and all-around game.
“I think it’s his competitive nature,” Mazzulla said. “You see what he did in the Olympics, what he’s done at every stop of his career. Having played against him with Brooklyn in the playoffs, just the preparation, his ability to put pressure on defenses. He’s one of the smartest players, a high-level competitor. I have a lot of respect for him.”
Mazzulla, who doesn’t often speak at length about opposing players, clearly holds Durant in high regard.
This season, Durant is averaging 27.2 points per game, ranking 11th in the league, despite taking just 15.6 shots per game—his lowest career average. He’s shooting 55 percent from the field, 40.9 percent from three on 4.4 attempts, and 85.4 percent from the foul line. His effective field goal percentage sits at 60.9 percent, while his true shooting percentage has reached a career-high 68.6 percent.
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