Former Celtics supported Joe Mazzulla trying to block a shot. Charles Barkley wasn’t a fan.
"Come on, man. Stop that."
Former NBA players disagree on Joe Mazzulla’s shot-block attempt: Amid the Celtics’ convincing 127-112 win over the Suns on Thursday night, Boston head coach Joe Mazzulla shocked players, fans, and commentators alike by attempting to block the shot of Phoenix forward Royce O’Neale after a timeout was called in the fourth quarter.
For Mazzulla, it was a matter of principle.
“I saw a guy going in to try to get a shot and hadn’t made one, and I didn’t want him to feel good about himself going to the bench,” Mazzulla told reporters after the game. “It’s the bench rule. Guys don’t shoot shots in front of our bench to go back to their bench to feel good about themselves. I’m going to ask the [players] to contest, the staff’s got to do the same.”
O’Neale admitted he was caught off-guard by Mazzulla.
“I didn’t know what he was doing,” O’Neale explained. “First time [happening]. I just wondered what he was doing. Isn’t it like a tech or something? I don’t know the rules on it.”
After the game, former Celtics Brian Scalabrine and Eddie House voiced (somewhat joking) support for Mazzulla’s hardball tactic.
“Look at Joe! Get that out of here,” Scalabrine declared as he viewed the replay.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a coach contest a shot,” House said. “Not in a game situation like that. And it was a good contest.
“Real talk, you’ve got to love that if you’re a player though,” House insisted.
On “Inside the NBA,” Charles Barkley took the exact opposite stance.
“Come on, man,” Barkley said in disbelief. “Stop that.”
“I wish he would try to block my shot,” Barkley added. “Hell no.”
Trivia: Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum both scored more than 20 points in the same half in Thursday’s win. It’s the 8th time the duo has accomplished this feat. Only one other NBA duo has done that more in the last 25 years. Can you name them?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: One is from Akron, Ohio. The other is from Los Angeles, California. Neither was selected in the top five of their respective drafts.
Scores and schedules:
From Thursday:
- The Celtics topped the Suns 127-112, becoming the first team in the NBA to clinch a playoff spot.
- The Bruins defeated the Canadiens 2-1 in overtime thanks to goals from Jake DeBrusk and Danton Heinen.
- The Revolution fought back for a 1-1 draw against Liga Deportiva Alajuelense in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, and advanced to the quarterfinals 5-1 on aggregate.
On Saturday:
- The Free Jacks face NOLA Gold at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Quincy at 2 p.m.
- PWHL Boston will be on the road to play Ottawa at 6 p.m.
On Sunday:
- The Revolution host FC Cincinnati at 2 p.m.
- The Bruins play the Flyers at TD Garden at 7 p.m.
More from Boston.com:
- Jaylen Brown scores 37, Celtics run away from Suns: 8 takeaways
- Takeaways: Bruins overcome sloppy outing to down Canadiens in OT
- Watch Derrick White transform into a Boston-native in new Samuel Adams ad
- 6 takeaways as Revolution advance in Champions Cup, brace for matchup with Club América
- Cam Newton: Workload with Patriots was ‘ridiculous,’ as was Boston traffic
- Kristaps Porzingis sits out fourth game in a row, but is getting closer to returning for the Celtics
- Read Mac Jones’ goodbye letter to Patriots, New England
- Josh Uche explains why he turned down more money to re-sign with Patriots
- Patriots reportedly set to sign ex-Steeler Armon Watts on one-year deal
- Watch Derrick White transform into a Boston-native in new Samuel Adams ad
Boston College pushed Virginia to the limit: Boston College men’s basketball made a strong bid to pull off an upset in the ACC tournament against Virginia on Thursday. Eagles guard Mason Madsen nailed a clutch (and contested) jumper at the buzzer to force overtime:
Unfortunately for BC, the Cavaliers proved too much. Virginia ultimately prevailed in the end, 66-60.
On this day: In 1992, Larry Bird produced the last triple-double of his Hall of Fame career in a 152-148 double-overtime win over the Pacers. Bird helped Boston top Clyde Drexler’s 41 points and 11 assists by pouring in 49 points of his own. He added 14 rebounds, 12 assists, and four steals in a vintage display.
Daily highlight: Greek side Olympiakos overcame a 4-1 first leg deficit to advance in the Europa Conference League knockout stage on Thursday thanks to a 6-1 victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv. The comeback was highlighted by Olympiakos forward Ayoub El Kaabi’s spectacular bicycle kick.
Trivia answer: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson
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