HOUSTON — While the Celtics built up an early lead on the Rockets, as Kristaps Porzingis describes the situation, it wasn’t because they were playing necessarily well. Sure, the C’s had a lead, but Porzingis said that was because they were more talented than a shorthanded Rockets squad playing the second game of a back-to-back.
The energy just wasn’t quite there. So that’s when C’s coach Joe Mazzulla turned to the bench for a spark — and they delivered. Al Horford (rest) and Jrue Holiday (right elbow sprain) were both out Sunday, leading to more available minutes for the reserves. That’s when a group that consisted of Oshae Brissett, Luke Kornet, Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser brought some much-needed energy in the 116-107 win over the Rockets.
“We all know once we get in the game, we have that kind of our responsibility that I could turn it around if we come out slow to start or continue what the starters are doing,” Brissett said. “We know that every single game. That’s our job; that’s our role.”
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The headliners were naturally Porzingis and his 32 points, along with Derrick White’s double-double of 21 points and 11 rebounds. They poured in points while Jaylen Brown’s triple-double of 13 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists showed his sacrifice and growth from throughout the season.
But the bench came up huge as Pritchard was trusted with 30 minutes, putting up nine points and four assists. Kornet had eight points and nine rebounds (five on the offensive glass); Brissett had six points and three assists. While Sam Hauser went 3-for-12 on 3-pointers, he filled the box score with nine points, seven rebounds and six assists as he also got the starting nod.
“That unit, to me, that’s why you put so much stock into them,” Mazzulla said. “That’s why you believe in them. They have to help you win games like that. It’s a long year. There’s going to be nights where you’re not at your best. But those guys brought it. So that’s big time.”
The bench is also filled with guys who are willing to do the dirty work — “they make all the dirty plays and they do all the dirty work,” Mazzulla said. That’s evidenced whenever Brissett and Pritchard crash the offensive glass, looking to give the Celtics extra possessions. The C’s dominated in that department Sunday, including a 19-0 edge on second-chance points at halftime.
Those Celtics reserves continue to build some trust during the long regular season — especially when starters are out, much like Sunday. While the playoffs are a different beast, the C’s can at least have some confidence knowing their bench guys will scrap in whatever capacity they can.
“That second unit, they came in with great energy, trying to give us a spark — and that was it” Porzingis said. “That kind of changed the momentum of the game. This is a good game for us to understand that we need to bring that energy every moment. If not, there’s going to be another guy that’s going to come in and bring it. But we need as many people as we can every night.”
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