As expected, the Celtics keep having shorthanded nights as the regular season comes to a close. That’s partly a byproduct of opponent and standings as the C’s can afford to rest guys down the stretch. But, most importantly, they also keep winning games.
This time, the Celtics beat the Blazers 129-116 despite missing three starters for their fifth straight victory. Portland has struggled in a losing season, but the Blazers came into Sunday’s game on a four-game win streak. The Celtics were too much as they got a huge lift from their reserves and their entire roster.
The Celtics got the chance Sunday to sharpen their key advantage ahead of the playoffs: their depth. C’s coach Joe Mazzulla often preaches how the process of winning has to be consistent, and for the Celtics, they do that on a nightly basis no matter who’s on the court. That’s because guys like Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, Luke Kornet and more have excelled in their roles.
It’s always a luxury when the Celtics can trot their primary bench guys as starters or reserves. Pritchard had 16 points and five assists in his first start of the season Sunday. Hauser was excellent on his way to 24 points on 8-for-10 3-point shooting. Kornet was a perfect 6-for-6 for 13 points and five rebounds, turning in another great plus-minus game at plus-16.
But it’s not just them. The C’s also leaned on some of the deeper bench guys. Baylor Scheierman impressed in his 26 minutes Sunday, putting up six points, five rebounds and three assists. The game has clearly slowed down for the rookie, especially compared to the start of the season, as he provided solid production.
“This is their time” Pritchard told reporters, via NBC Sports Boston. “They’ve been working hard. I’ve been in a position like that. So when you get an opportunity like this, you gotta take full advantage of it and learn from it, so when more opportunities come in the future, you’re even more ready to take it and run. I’m glad to see them doing well and having success.”
Others bench guys also got rotation minutes, like Torrey Craig (13 minutes) and two-way guard JD Davison (eight). They were also solid during their stints with differing goals for each player. Craig was signed off the buyout market last month, so every game he plays is important to continue meshing with the team. Davison has earned real minutes recently as he continues his development since being drafted in 2022.
Most of these deeper bench guys, realistically, won’t be leaned upon heavily during the playoffs, pending injury. But as seen in past years, there will be opportunities or short spurts where their number could be called unexpectedly. So the Celtics will hope all these reps now will pay off in the long run as they also continue winning games.
“(Hauser and Kornet have) proven themselves tremendously,” Mazzulla said. “So it’s important that we just keep doing whatever it takes to win and playing with the right mindset. Regardless of who plays, I thought Luke, who was great in his minutes. I thought Torrey (Craig) contributed a lot. I thought Baylor (Scheierman) was good. JD (Davison) hit a shot and got a couple of deflections.”
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