“It’s majorly different. He adds so many small intangible things to this team,” Mosley said. “One, his toughness, his resolve on the court. He never gets rattled. He blows up all the things you are trying to run offensively. He finds different ways.
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“The great part, if you’re talking about the coaching battle, it’s Payton Pritchard that steps into that role now. He’s going to pick up full court, he’s going to change the game. And now they’re roaming off of [Al] Horford in situations, so those guys have just taken on that role with him being out.”
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Horford once again was slot into the starting five by Mazzulla for Holiday. And Mazzulla stuck with his bench rotation, with Pritchard, Luke Kornet, and Sam Hauser the players getting the call in the first half.
Stingy beyond the arc
After a record-setting regular season from 3-point range, the Celtics have opened the playoffs with fewer opportunities from distance.
They entered Game 5 averaging 33 3-point attempts per game, 15 less than the 48.2 they averaged during the regular season. They were 11th in the league in that category.
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This Magic’s length, tenacity, and aggressiveness toward defending the 3-point line has given this opening-round series a different feel, but Boston has been able to manage the difference.
“Everything is about understanding the matchups, the coverages, trying to get the best shot you can,” Mazzulla said. “Every game is different. Every series is different. You just have to be ready to execute.”
Mosley said his team has had to balance being aggressive on closeouts without overreacting, because the Celtics thrive on moving the ball quickly. Being able to guard the Celtics with man defense is often easier said than done, but it is a key part of Orlando’s defensive style. Boston ranked ninth out of 16 playoff teams in points scored heading into Tuesday’s matchup.
“It is our identity. We’re going to sit down and guard,” Mosley said. “We’re going to be physical. We’re going to be handy. We’re going to do the right thing, shrink the floor, get out to shooters and understand who we’re closing out to. That’s just who we’ve been and that’s who we’ll continue to be.”
The starters have had to adjust to Orlando’s style. Kristaps Porzingis got going with several dunks off of pick-and-rolls in the first quarter of Game 4, which helped him break out of a slump. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have been relentless at attacking the rim. Derrick White has seen an increase in shot attempts with Holiday out.
The Celtics have gotten to the free-throw line more, averaging 26 attempts per game up from 19 during the regular-season.
“I think it’s making us look at other options as a team and play a little different than we’re used to,” Horford said. “But I think in order to win, sometimes you have to do things in different ways and the game will tell you what it requires. This series has been a little different.”
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Ratings watch
ESPN announced that it has averaged its highest audience ever through the first 11 games of these playoffs. The Celtics’ game 1 win against Orlando was the second most-watched NBA playoffs opening-round Game 1 ever, according to the network.
Khari Thompson can be reached at khari.thompson@globe.com.
