Sudden rotation changes and benchings have become common in the Mazzulla era, but not for his seasoned veterans. And while he denied that replacing his experienced players with reserves and then watching those reserves spark a stirring second-half rally was a means of motivation, it most certainly was.
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The savvy Mazzulla continues to win at these mind games, triggering his players and also displacing them from their comfort zones. Getting snatched from the game two minutes into the third quarter in front of a sold-out home crowd is unquestionably embarrassing, a message to a team that’s climbing up the Eastern Conference ladder that it’s being badly outplayed by a lesser opponent.
Hustle from bench players like Hugo Gonzalez helped the Celtics come back in their win over the Pacers Monday.Ben Pennington/for The Boston Globe
Indiana has turned into what the Celtics could have been in a worst-case scenario: A former conference champion besieged by injuries that has turned this season into a tanking one. They are prepping for a lottery pick and the return of Tyrese Haliburton, the All-Star who was on Indiana’s bench in street clothes recovering from a torn Achilles suffered five weeks after Jayson Tatum’s injury.
The Celtics completely dominated the second half, thanks to Mazzulla’s ploy, and the veteran trio returned to make buckets and winning plays in the 103-95 win, yet another unconventional path to victory for an unconventional team.
Brown, who missed Saturday’s win at Toronto with an illness, stormed back from his humbling moment to score 20 of his 31 points in a span of 15:42. Mazzulla allowed his reserves to play at least 8 minutes of the third quarter before reinstating his starters late in the period. Brown was admittedly upset with the move.
“To be honest, I was pissed,” Brown said. “I was ready to play. I didn’t feel like we were mailing it in. We were three minutes in, but we trust our coaching staff. So it was the right decision. That second group is the reason why we won the game. We won tonight but it was because of those guys, so it was a great call by Joe.”
In the second half the bench combined for 23 points and 16 rebounds as the Celtics outscored the Pacers 60-34. The likes of Luka Garza, Hugo Gonzalez, Sam Hauser, Scheierman and Anfernee Simons were neutralizing the once-unstoppable Pacers offense, hustling to loose balls, knocking down shots, chasing defensive rebounds, and doing what their more established cohorts couldn’t.
When Mazzulla put Brown back into the game, he told his superstar, “This [sparking the rally] is what you’re supposed to do.” Brown responded.
“To me, I look at it the other way, they have an understanding that we can impact games in different ways,” Mazzulla said. “I think it was more about this is what the game needs at this particular time. Let’s get it back a little bit, keep it close and then it’s their responsibility when they come back, to win. Today was an example of a team. You’re not always going to be at your best.”
But there’s a psychological play here. NBA players are creatures of habit. They like to play the same stretches of games. They desire a customary schedule. They don’t like change. Monday was disruptive. Brown is just not used to being on any bench four minutes into the second half and neither is White.
Mazzulla said last week that he isn’t concerned with how his players digest his occasional harsh coaching style and that includes his veterans. The reality was the Celtics were on their way to an embarrassing loss. Indiana averages 12 made 3-pointers per game and the Pacers hit 12 before halftime.
The three offensive rebounds in the first 2-plus minutes of the second half was an indication of a lack of focus and hustle. The Celtics were again playing to the level of their opponent, allowing the 6-23 Pacers to conjure memories of their glorious 2024-25 season for at least a few quarters.
“I think it’s just empowerment,” Mazzulla said of the stunning lineup shift. “These guys can help us win. We need them and they need us and take care of the guy next to you.”
Brown didn’t agree with the move, but he did agree with the results. The Celtics can no longer win because of their overwhelming talent. Mazzulla has to find ways to provoke his players when they are passive or playing halfheartedly. Monday was a trap game — a matchup against an inferior opponent after two impressive victories and the Celtics played the first half and two-plus minutes of the third as if they expected the Pacers to lay down.
So Mazzulla hurt some feelings and changed the game for the better.
“I wouldn’t say [the move] was ideal but I just wanted to win tonight,” Brown said. “I didn’t want to lose. When I came back in I was shot out of a cannon. Our [bench] guys deserve all the credit. They catapulted us to get the win. I saw them and fed off their energy.”
Gary Washburn is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at gary.washburn@globe.com. Follow him @GwashburnGlobe.