Joe Mazzulla explained why assistant coach Sam Cassell tried to block Buddy Hield’s shot
"We're supposed to block shots when the other team shoots it. That's the rule."
Joe Mazzulla had a puzzled look on his face when he was asked the etiquette of blocking opposing teams’ shots when a play is over.
“Etiquette?” Mazzulla asked. “This is not a country club.”
One of Indiana guard Buddy Hield’s shot attempts Wednesday night prompted the question. When Hield fired up a shot after the whistle, Celtics assistant Sam Cassell raced over and tried to block it.
“The rule is, we’re supposed to go block it,” Mazzulla said. “We’re supposed to block shots when the other team shoots it. That’s the rule.”
Mazzulla said he saw Hield practicing his shooting form in front of the Celtics bench, but decided not to go over there. Hield had not taken an actual jumpshot while Mazzulla was watching. But he did eventually, and that’s when Cassell sprung into action.
“I would have blocked it myself, but he didn’t shoot it. He was form shooting,” Mazzulla said.
Cassell was just following the rules, Mazzulla said. It wasn’t anything personal.
“It was great natured. Buddy Hield is a great guy,” said Mazzulla. “He’s a great natured guy. Remember, he’s the same guy who admitted to his fault at the end of the other game, remember that? So, he’s a really good guy.”
The Pacers beat the Celtics earlier this month in Indiana. The game was tied at 131 and Jaylen Brown took a shot attempt with three seconds remaining.
Brown appeared to be fouled by Hield on the play. Brown didn’t get the call, but Hield admitted after the game that the contact he made with Brown should have been called as a foul. He got away with it, and the Pacers pulled off a close win.
The Pacers weren’t so fortunate Wednesday night at TD Garden. The Celtics hung on for a 129-124 victory after scoring 79 points and nearly blowing a double-digit halftime lead.
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