The Boston Celtics will probably be on the lookout for one other productive recreation from their non-starters once they face the visiting Portland Path Blazers on Wednesday night time.
Boston, which has been with out Kristaps Porzingis (sickness) and Jrue Vacation (hand) for its final two video games, had a 28-11 benefit in bench factors when it beat Denver 110-103 on Sunday. That got here two days after Boston’s bench was outscored 33-6 in a 123-116 house loss to Cleveland.
Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser and Neemias Queta had been the Boston reserves who had the most important affect in Sunday’s win. Pritchard scored 11 factors, Hauser added eight and Queta contributed eight factors and 10 rebounds.
“For us to be a fantastic workforce, they must play that approach and it is a fantastic factor,” Boston coach Joe Mazzulla mentioned. “I used to be speaking to Payton the opposite day, and he is such a competitor. He took possession — not that I assumed it was on him — however he took the possession on ensuring when he is within the recreation, that lineup actually impacts profitable. And I knew (towards Denver) he was going to place us in place to try this.”
Queta is averaging 5.0 factors and three.7 rebounds in 14.1 minutes per recreation this season.
“Simply very skilled,” Al Horford mentioned of Queta. “Neemi, simply sticking to his preparation, his routine, even when he is not enjoying, you see him right here, identical power, working, and simply staying prepared for the alternatives. … Him with the ability to defend the perimeter, shield the paint, get rebounds, simply staying prepared and simply making the most of the chance.”
Boston additionally acquired 19 factors, eight rebounds and three steals from Horford, who began rather than Porzingis and needed to take care of Denver star Nikola Jokic on the defensive finish.
“For me, it was ensuring that I introduced some power early on and that we set a tone,” Horford mentioned. “I felt like we had been ready to try this and to try this, and we took off from there.”
Wednesday’s recreation would be the sixth cease on a seven-game street journey for Portland. The Path Blazers have received 4 of the primary 5 video games on the journey, together with Monday’s 119-102 victory over Philadelphia. Portland’s solely loss throughout that stretch got here in time beyond regulation towards Cleveland, which owns the NBA’s finest report.
The Path Blazers have seven gamers who’re averaging greater than 10 factors per recreation.
“It is at all times any person totally different each night time for us, which I believe makes us tough to arrange for,” Portland coach Chauncey Billups mentioned.
Anfernee Simons is averaging a team-high 19.0 factors per recreation and tossed in a game-high 34 throughout Monday’s victory over Philadelphia. However in his postgame press convention, Billups singled out Shaedon Sharpe for his protection and rebounding towards the 76ers.
Sharpe had 20 factors, a career-high 11 rebounds and 5 assists within the victory.
“I believe offense is straightforward for Shaedon,” Billups mentioned. “He could make it look very straightforward. The defensive aspect is completely totally different. When he is locked in on protection, it makes his offense even simpler.
“I assumed he was nice. Profession-high in rebounding. We want these rebounds in a serious approach. I believe he is possibly probably the most athletic man in basketball. I would like him going to get these robust rebounds.”
–Subject Degree Media
