The post-game reaction reflected a different feeling from Mazzulla and the players than any other over the recent 8-7 stretch. Mazzulla didn’t offer the strong defense or deflections that he typically utilizes to protect the team. Porziņģis acknowledged a silent and hurt locker room after the loss. “I would say when you’re having inefficient offense, it puts pressure on your defense, and so I don’t think it’s a long-term effort thing,” Mazzulla said. “I think that just wears on you, whether it’s shot-making, whether it’s execution, whether it’s spacing, I think that takes a toll on you. Then, again, if you’re gonna shoot 28% from three, you’re gonna have to do a bunch of other things really, really well … if you’re having empty possession after empty possession and they’re scoring, that takes a toll on you. I said it’s not a long-term effort thing, but in the short term, yeah.”