Bench Didn’t Bring It
The Boston Celtics bench has been so good this season that we almost take it for granted that they are going to extend leads when they enter the game.
After playing mostly to a draw with the Pacers bench, however, the Celtics got thoroughly outplayed by the Nuggets second unit. We’ve already noted Morris’ off night, but he was not the only Boston reserve to struggle.
Backup point guard Terry Rozier made just 2-of-9 field goals and did not register an assist in 22 minutes of play. Rozier’s struggles have been a bit overstated lately on the interwebs, but he did not play well Monday night.
When Marcus Smart (9 points) is Boston’s leading scorer off the bench, it’s probably not a good sign. Smart also had 4 blocks and 2 steals, but even his dogged defense was no match for Murray. The plus/minus dandy finished a -10 on the night, Rozier was -13, and Morris was a -18, while also picking up a technical foul, to boot.
In the high altitude of Denver, Boston could have used their typical pick-me-up from the bench, but it was not to be Monday night. Hopefully, Thursday’s game against the lottery-bound Phoenix Suns will reinvigorate the Boston bench and help heat up the hot-and-cold offense.