Mazzulla said his players have to welcome the challenge of snapping out of the worst slump since the coach’s first season.

When speaking to the media following Boston's loss to the Raptors, Mazzulla admitted that his team isn't reaching its full potential. The third-year head coach noted how the Celtics aren't playing at their best and that improvements are needed if the team wants to keep pace with a chasing crowd.

Mazzulla says the pressure on the Celtics is coming from comparisons to Cavs and Thunder: "Oh, you're not as good because you're not them."

The Boston Celtics have been one of the more difficult teams to figure out of late. While the Celtics have continued their dominance this season, they have also shown a lack of focus in multiple games.

During a recent news conference, the Celtics head coach discussed the difficulties and importance of finding minutes for younger players looking to improve their game. He explained the balancing act it takes and why it's a high priority for the team to ensure a pipeline is in place.

While the Celtics have produced an excellent record so far this season, they haven't been the dominant force many expected as they defend their NBA title.

After scraping by to beat New Orleans, Jayson Tatum and head coach Joe Mazzulla had some things to say about the current state of the team. “Maybe you don’t want to play your best basketball at the beginning of January,