Joe Mazzulla on the Celtics Stay Ready Crew: ‘It’s a Testament to Them and the Coaching Staff'

The Boston Celtics' 'stay-ready' group continued to shine in the team's sixth straight win.

Shorthanded again, the Boston Celtics have now won six games in a row as the team shows off their outstanding flexibility again, defeating the Detroit Pistons 119-94.

Kristaps Porzingis returned after a five-game absence with other key players out and had 20 of his own, shooting 50 percent and making five threes. Jaylen Brown also remained dominant with another 30-point outing, as he got 31 points on 11-20 from the field.

Derrick White was the player of the game with a triple-double, 22 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds to go with six threes. Luke Kornet and Payton Pritchard entered the starting lineup as the Celtics showed off their stellar depth yet again.

Pritchard stayed hot with 23 points of his own, shooting 8-14 and 5-9 from three with seven assists. Joe Mazzulla continued to talk about the team's flexibility and Boston's stay-ready group postgame.

"They take their job serious," Mazzulla said. "They're professionals, and they understand that the work that they do prepares them for situations. I think it's important throughout the season, when you have moments, to put them in the game and trust them that you do it because it validates the work, it validates who they are as players. 

"So, it's a credit to them and to the staff, but regardless of who's in the game, guys play at a high level of physicality, high-level of execution. It's because of the work they put in."

White also had praise for the Celtics stay-ready group, which seems to be successful with the system no matter who is on the floor.

"Everybody on this team works so hard with the coaching staff behind the scenes," White said. "We have a lot of confidence and respect for everybody on this roster."

Further Reading

Derrick White Reflects on Basketball Journey, First Triple-Double: 'I Never Stopped'

Jaylen Brown Shares What's Fueling Career Year: 'Nothing in This World Gonna Break My Spirit'

Jayson Tatum Plays Entire Second Half vs. Suns: 'Don't Really Say That Many Times'

Jaylen Brown's Evolution Crucial to Celtics' Desire to Win with More Than Talent

Celtics Embracing Challenge to Go Beyond Most Talented

Jayson Tatum Opens Up About Sacrificing in Celtics' Title Pursuit: 'It's a Process'

Brad Stevens Discusses Celtics' Plan for Final Roster Spot

Marcus Smart Shares How Boston Shaped Him, His Message to Celtics Fans

Celtics Maturation Molded by Experience: 'It Builds, Like, an Armor'

Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'

Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'