Damian Lillard thought the Bucks’ season would play out how the Celtics’ did. What would finish as a 15-game gap between the East’s co-favorites, Milwaukee’s new star conceded that his expectations didn't meet reality after his trade demand.
Defensive problems, a mid-season coaching change following an offseason one, and depth challenges aided in making a 49-33 regular season feel more like a failure.
Nothing played a bigger part in that storyline than the Celtics sprinting miles ahead of them early and separating and separating and separating.
“Treat every game the same, handle winning and losing the same, be open-minded toward getting better,” Joe Mazzulla said Sunday, asked what he’s most proud of Boston accomplishing this year.