The Heat is on for this Celtic

Can Joe Mazzulla and the Celtics cool off the Miami Heat and regain control of the series in Game 3? We’ll find out soon enough. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

BOSTON — While most Boston Celtics fans are still super-confident that the C’s will win their best-of-seven series against Miami even after a Game 2 loss, it’s pretty clear that the inevitable seeds of doubt have now found fertile ground to grow.

Boston has been the NBA’s leader of the pack most of this season, finishing with 64 regular season wins which ranks among the franchise’s all-time winningest single seasons.

But regular season glory, especially around this team, has about as much value as a Russian ruble.

This is why the spotlight going into this game will be focused on several Celtics, but one above all the rest.

But even if the Celtics do move on as expected, the Game 2 loss speaks to what may be the greatest area of concern/uncertainty on this team in the organization’s short and long-term future: head coach Joe Mazzulla.

The playoffs have long since been when adjustments, win or lose, have to be made.

The Celtics didn’t get that memo after their Game 1 win. Because strategy-wise, there was nothing they did of significance that differed from their first matchup with the Heat.

Meanwhile, Miami was super-aggressive in getting 3-point shots up, defended Kristaps Porzingis differently in terms of personnel and approach, and didn’t allow Boston to get into any kind of flow other than a short spurt near the end of the second quarter.

And while Porzingis needs to play better and other supporting cast Celtics need to do a better job of putting their imprint on the game, much of the focus and attention going into this game needs to be on head coach Joe Mazzulla.

Why?

Because of all the positional matchups involved, the one between Mazzulla and Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra is the one that many are excited about.

Mazzulla wrapped up his second regular season as the Celtics head coach and has established himself as a rising star in this league. He was the fastest in franchise history to record 100 victories. And his overall winning percentage is tops among all coaches, ALL TIME, with at least 100 games to their name.

While it sounds good on the air and makes for great conversation at the water cooler, it means little if Mazzulla doesn’t lead this team to the only thing that matters - winning an NBA title.

That remains the goal and as you listen to Celtics players discuss this series, there’s an undeniable confidence that they will still get it done this year.

“We looked at some things we can do better. I don’t want to put too much out there,” said Porzingis who had 6 points while missing eight of his nine shot attempts. “But I would say we’re pretty confident.”

Confidence has not been an issue for the Celtics, now or in past years.

Consistency? Complacency?

That’s another story.

But for most of this season, the Celtics seemingly dispelled those myths about them, delivering a steady brand of basketball that was the driving force behind what was a wildly successful regular season.

That success involves many factors, among them being the head coach.

Joe Mazzulla has to be better than what we saw in Game 2. Tonight’s game will be in a lot of ways similar to Game 2 as far as Miami making changes that will force the Celtics if they are to be successful, to adapt to what they’re doing.

And those changes/adjustments need to happen during the game, and not be talking points afterwards.

It’s not just media folks who recognize the importance of coaching in this series.

Following the Game 2 loss, Jaylen Brown was asked about why so many Heat players not considered core/go-to guys, once again found success against the Celtics.

“They’re well coached,” Brown told reporters. “That’s a credit to their coaching staff, (and) organization.”

As for what the Celtics need to do, it’s pretty simple what needs to be done now.

“It’s the playoffs,” Brown said. “It is what it is. You have to adjust, gotta play ball. We gotta respond.”

And that response goes for the entire team, starting with Joe Mazzulla.