Celtics aren’t coasting into the playoffs

Jayson Tatum drove fiercely toward the basket Monday night and drew three defenders. In similar situations, Tatum has been prone to taking on double- and triple-teams, forcing up shots at the end of quarters.

This wasn’t crunch time yet, the Celtics had a comfortable lead over the Hornets, but instead of trying to score on 60 percent of Charlotte’s defense, Tatum rose and rocketed a pass to an open Sam Hauser on the left wing.

Swish. Tatum collected an assist on Hauser’s 3-pointer to end the third quarter. The Celtics are indeed working on things as the playoffs approach, including Tatum, who reiterated the team’s philosophy respecting the growth process.

“I think last year we were like so antsy to get back to the Finals that we had a few bad losses in the last few weeks of the season,” Tatum said. “We went to six games in that first-round [series against the Hawks]. We may have took some things for granted. This year we’ve done a really good job of not skip ping steps and respecting every day, every game, just trying to get better, as cliché as that sounds.”

In the final month of last season, the Celtics lost games to the Rockets, Jazz, and Wizards. They were then taken to six games by the Hawks, making their road more difficult.

The final portion of this season’s schedule isn’t easy, beginning with Wednesday’s home game against the Thunder. The Celtics also play the Kings, Knicks, and Bucks in the final weeks of the season. There will be plenty of opportunity for intense situations and playoff-like atmospheres with those teams competing for seeding.

It’s important for the Celtics to play their final seven regular-season with purpose, using them to try new rotations, defensive and offensive ideas, and also compete.

“Use these last couple of games on some things that we could work on,” Tatum said. “Different situations we might be in come playoff time.”

Joe Mazzulla, who was named Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for March, has been intent of putting his players in unfamiliar situations and ensuring his club is healthy for the play offs. Despite two losses to Hawks sandwiched between two wins each to begin and end the just completed six-game trip, Mazzulla said the Celtics are a better team than when they left. That’s the goal, improving even when the situation doesn’t necessarily call for it.

“I’d like to think we come away a better team, regardless of the result,” he said. “It’s just finding ways to win and understanding the things we need to get better at. I think our defense has been consistent. Our rebounding was a little inconsistent, but our offensive execution was really consistent. If you can stay consistent in things that you’re working toward every day, that’s all you can ask for.

“I think we’re a better team because of the way our guys approach the games and film sessions and practices. We’ve just got to keep at it.”

Center Kristaps Porzingis has become the team’s voice of reason, willing to call out teammates when he doesn’t believe they’re as focused as they can be. There was perhaps some slippage in Atlanta, but the Celtics were able to regain it with wins at New Orleans and Charlotte.

“Solid road trip, I think a battle for us, just being on the road and making these wins happen,” he said. “The two Atlanta games were a little adversity for us to tune up a little bit and not take these games for granted. We came out the last two games with a better energy, better mind-set, and took care of business.”

Porzingis, who has appeared in just 10 playoff games, all against the Clippers while with the Mavericks, was asked whether this group is the most cohesive he’s been a part of.

“I would say it’s the most mature I’ve played on,” he said. “We really try to make the right play for each other and I would say guys like Al [Horford], [Derrick White], and Jrue [Holiday] set the example. They’re playing super-selfless and always making the right read, and they might not get the crazy stats but when you’re their teammate you understand how they’re sacrificing and playing basketball the right way. I would say the most mature [team I’ve played on], and a team with a clear goal in mind.”

Porzingis said the motivation will increase when the playoffs begin, but for now they’ll continue to play the game the right way.

“Now is some of the toughest moments for us because we play these games and it’s not like everything is on the line,” he said. “It’s human nature to not have that playoff mind-set yet. We have to come out with the edge anyway.”