Official release Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla reacts after being called for a technical foul. NEW YORK – Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla has been fined $35,000 for aggressively pursuing and directing inappropriate language toward a game official ...

How did Joe Mazzulla become the head coach of the Boston Celtics, given how much of a maniac he is the sidelines? If anything, if we are being honest, it is that maniacal aspect that has turned the West Virginia alum into one of the best assets on the bench in the NBA today.

The Boston Celtics have had to deal with a lot of different narratives from the media regarding Jayson Tatum over the last couple of years, with a lot of them being negative. This is despite the fact that Tatum was a first-team All-NBA performer a year ago when the Celtics won their 18th NBA championship.

Joe Mazzulla’s Christmas greetings were costly. The NBA fined the Boston Celtics coach $35,000 on Saturday “for aggressively pursuing and directing inappropriate language toward a game official” at the end of his team’s loss to the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night.

The NBA announced on Saturday that Mazzulla was fined $35,000 for "aggressively pursuing and directing inappropriate language toward a game official" after the Celtics lost 108-117 to the Chicago Bulls. Once the buzzer sounded, Mazzulla went straight to the ref and could be seen yelling and pointing in anger.

Joe Mazzulla received a technical foul for stepping onto the court and questioning a game official during a jump-ball decision as the Boston Celtics faced the Chicago Bulls. Both Payton Pritchard and Jaylen Brown had gone for the ball on the floor,

Dec 19, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla held back as he reacts after called for a technical foul as they take on the Chicago Bulls in the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images / David Butler II-Imagn Images

Philadelphia's Christmas Day win over defending champion Boston is the latest in a string of performances that has turned around the 76ers' season and renewed their championship aspirations.

The Boston Celtics built their 2024 NBA title on consistency. But, the road to repeat as champions is always difficult and the C’s have been plagued by inconsistencies this December, which was evident during a 118-114 loss on Christmas Day to the rival Philadelphia 76ers.

Tyrese Maxey gave the Celtics more than they could handle in a Christmas Day showdown on Wednesday, as the 76ers earned a signature 118-114 win at the expense of their defending champion rivals. Here are the takeaways.