For the fifth time in his young career, Joe Mazzulla is the Eastern Conference Coach of the Month.
Mazzulla steered the Celtics to a 9-3 December, highlighted by wins over the Knicks, Raptors (twice), and Heat.
The Celtics are 21-12, just 3.5 games out of first place in the conference with Jayson Tatum still sidelined. They’ve allowed 110.6 points per game on the season,
which is the second-fewest in the NBA after juggernaut Oklahoma City.
In December specifically, the Celtics averaged 120.3 points per game and boasted an offensive rating of 124.3 and defensive rating of 113.3. They had the second-best net rating behind only the Thunder.
Mazzulla leads the NBA in Coach of the Month awards since he became Boston’s head coach in October of 2022.
Mitch Johnson of the San Antonio Spurs garnered December’s award in the Western Conference.
The Celtics, fresh off a win over the Sacramento Kings, are back in action against the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday at 10:30 p.m. EST. Boston has won two straight, six of seven and 11 of 14 after starting the season 10-9.
