It’s all in a name, Bulls forward Matas Buzelis is finding out

BOSTON — It was Bulls forward Matas Buzelis’ welcome to Boston Garden, where hospitality for opposing teams and players isn’t a high priority.

Whenever he scored or committed a foul in the Bulls’ 14-point loss Monday to the Celtics, the public-address announcer called him ‘‘Matisse.’’

‘‘Yeah, what was up with that?’’ Buzelis said with a laugh afterward.

At last check, his first name was still ‘‘Matas,’’ so the fact that he kept hearing ‘‘Matisse’’ was a bit bothersome — at least until veteran guard Jevon Carter let him know it was probably done on purpose. Some good, old-fashioned Celtics mental warfare.

Buzelis’ education continues in his second season. And if his performance in the Bulls’ last five games is any indication, he is moving in the right direction.

Since a loss Dec. 29 to the Timberwolves, Buzelis is averaging 19.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists. He is attacking the rim and being more aggressive from three-point range (7.4 threes attempted per game) and finally is looking like the player he was hyped up to be at the start of the season.

So what switch has flipped? Call it less overthinking and more doing.

‘‘Just continue to give him confidence,’’ guard Coby White said of Buzelis’ recent uptick. ‘‘And I think, as with most things, it’s about moving on from mistakes. He wants to be perfect, like everybody, right? Sometimes when he makes mistakes, he gets really down on himself because he wants to be perfect and be better for the team. We just have to help him move past those mistakes and move on to the next play. He’s starting to do that, and I think that’s been really helpful.’’

Coach Billy Donovan shares that opinion.

Buzelis always has flashed uncanny skills with his elite ballhandling, despite being 6-9, and eye-popping athleticism at the rim. But he was trying to figure out when to attack, when to shoot and when to move the ball elsewhere. And while he’s still a work in progress, he has made strides.

‘‘I think the biggest thing with him that I’ve been the most pleased with and that’s been really consistent from him is he’s not holding the ball and dancing with it,’’ Donovan said. ‘‘He was decisive when he had it in space [against the Celtics]. Whether it was shooting the ball or driving the ball, he was decisive, and I feel like that’s how he has to play.’’

Buzelis’ production likely has been helped by the fact that the Bulls have been without White and guard Josh Giddey for much of the last week. But he said he also has been watching a lot of film lately and continuing to ask as many questions as teammates will answer.

And while he’s not looking to score 26 points every game, like he did against the Celtics, Buzelis agreed this is what his game was supposed to look like in his second season.

‘‘I just go out and hoop, try and be the best player I can be,’’ Buzelis said. ‘‘I play hard, and I believe in our team. It was just a matter of time and patience, just keep grinding.

‘‘Just the comfort level, honestly. It’s only Year 2 for me. That’s not an excuse, but [I’m] still getting comfortable out there going against grown men. It feels like it’s just a matter of time, learning and learning.’’

The Bulls return to Boston on Feb. 11. Maybe Buzelis’ first name will be unmistakable by then.

NOTE: The Bulls signed guard Yuki Kawa-mura to a two-way contract and waived forward Trentyn Flowers. Kawamura played in two games for the Bulls in the preseason, averaging three points, four rebounds and four assists.