For the first month of the regular season, the Celtics’ success was largely predicated on their starting lineup. The team struggled massively whenever starting center Neemias Queta was off the court and the disparity between the first and second unit was drastic on many nights after an offseason roster overhaul.
Bright spots within the bench emerged at different points, especially on the wing, but it was evident the entire bench unit was still trying to find its rhythm. That concern has quickly faded away, however, in the past month, and Thursday’s win over the Kings was yet another example of that. Seven players scored in double figures for Boston in the victory, including three players off the bench (Luka Garza, Sam Hauser, Anfernee Simons). Backup wing Hugo Gonzalez also finished with a game-high plus-20 as that entire group helped Boston’s starters dig out of an early hole and pull away late in the 120-106 victory.
In an interview with Derrick White on NBC Sports Boston after the game, White credited Boston’s bench for their impact.
“They’ve been huge,” White said. “All year they’ve been huge for us. They come in and kind of change the game, bring energy, 50-50 balls, make shots, they do a little bit of everything for us. We’re a complete team and we need everybody.”
The on/off splits tell an even bigger story of how well the second unit has played of late. Over the past six games since Luka Garza’s re-entry into Boston’s rotation, four reserves have posted the highest net ratings among roster players with phenomenal success on both ends of the floor.
Luka Garza: +29.2
Hugo Gonzalez: +26.3
Baylor Scheierman: +25
Anfernee Simons: +22.2
The impressive splits have led to a boost in playing time for several reserves, especially Garza who played 10 minutes in the fourth quarter of Thursday’s win. Those on-court numbers have helped Boston sustain their winning ways with six wins in their last seven games despite several slow starts by Boston’s starting five.
This trend will be put to the test on Saturday night in Los Angeles as Boston faces off against the Clippers, the hottest team in the NBA, who have won six straight games overall.
