Boston Celtics: 3 keys to victory vs. Toronto after devastating game-three loss
By Mark Nilon
Boston Celtics key to victory No. 2) Give Robert Williams more minutes
FREE THE TIME LORD!!!
So far during this postseason, Robert Williams has proven to be everything Boston Celtics fans have chalked him up to be since entering the league: an effective rim protector who can gobble up boards and finish ferociously at the rim.
Last night, in just 14 minutes of action, he continued his efficient level of play, scoring three points to go along with seven rebounds, three assists, one block, and a box plus/ minus of +3. Thus far into this postseason, the man known as “Time Lord” has only proven that, with more minutes given to him, the greater of production you’ll receive.
Take the previous two games, both in which the Celtics ended up winning. Averaging 17.9 minutes, Williams saw himself boasting 10.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game on an incredible 100 percent shooting from the floor — game four saw his first miss in this series.
It seemed as though that whenever Williams found himself on the sideline, the Toronto Raptors (most notably Kyle Lowry) would focus in on attacking the basket and, in turn, saw a great deal of success.
With the shot-swatting extraordinaire down low, it would likely make Toronto second guess this agenda and, in turn, force them to take longer-range shots (converting at just a 28 percent clip from deep).
With him healthy, there should be no reason for Brad Stevens to not bestow Robert Williams more in-game action moving forward, especially with the rim being susceptible by the likes of Lowry and Fred VanVleet.