Joe Mazzulla is the Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for games played in December, the NBA announced Thursday.
The second-year head coach steered the Celtics to a 12-2 record, including an 8-1 mark against teams with a record of .500 or better. This is Mazzulla’s second time winning the award, which ties him for third in franchise history behind only Doc Rivers (six) and Brad Stevens (three). He also garnered such recognition last October/November.
This was Boston’s best December, percentage-wise, since the 2007-08 championship season. The Celtics finished second in points per game (126.5), averaged the most 3-pointers in the league (16.6) and led the NBA in defensive rebounds (35.4).
They scored more than 125 points in four straight road games, and also totaled 144-plus points in consecutive games for the first time in franchise history.
Clippers coach Ty Lue earned the honor in the Western Conference after guiding Los Angeles to an 11-2 record.
