The Boston Celtics led by as many as 32 points in their Game 1 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday en route to a 112-99 victory.
But that doesn't mean they were satisfied with their performance.
The Celtics' lead dwindled to as little as 12 in the second half before they put the Hawks away, and head coach Joe Mazzulla had plenty of coaching points for his players as Atlanta made its run. Boston's players were vocal as well, with big man Robert Williams urging his teammates to play with more energy and pace while he wasn't in the game.
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Both Mazzulla and Williams were mic'd up for Game 1, allowing us to hear their messages loud and clear.
"Let's get our offensive purpose back!" Mazzulla told his players during one timeout while urging them to increase their pace. "Play with a little bit of speed and intentionality! We're slowing it down too much."
Williams echoed his head coach, repeatedly telling his teammates to keep the energy up Atlanta cut into Boston's lead.
Boston Celtics
"Hey, pick it up JB!" Williams said to Jaylen Brown. "Come on, we need you!"
This video is a great behind-the-scenes look at how Mazzulla coaches his players -- and how Mazzulla's players accept his coaching. Mazzulla stressed the importance of controlling the glass during another timeout -- "All five guys in the paint rebounding" -- and the Celtics won the rebounding battle convincingly, 58-45.
Joe Mazzulla reflects on 'responsibility' of coaching in Boston
Mazzulla is in his first year as Celtics head coach and still had the interim title as recently as February, but he clearly commands the respect of his players, who appear fully bought in and on the same page in their quest for Banner 18.
The Celtics are back in action Tuesday night for Game 2 of the first-round playoff series, which tips off at 7 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Boston. Our coverage begins at 6 p.m. ET with "Celtics Pregame Live."