Boston Celtics: 3 takeaways from C’s dominating win over the 76ers

Boston Celtics Takeaway No. 2) Derrick White is a capable primary ball handler

With Marcus Smart exiting after twelve minutes of playing time, it was Derrick White who handled the rock for a decent chunk of the contest.

White saw 27 minutes of action, dropping 11 points and 2 assists while shooting 4-9 from the field.

The biggest positive from Derrick White’s state line was his team-high +41 box plus-minus rating.

When Derrick White is on the floor, good things happen.

His numbers have not been truly eye-popping, but everything seems to flow better with number nine at the helm. While he fits in well next to Marcus Smart playing off-ball, White showed on Tuesday night that he is more than capable of commanding the offense.

As many expected, playing next to Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum has opened things up more for White offensively. Although he has yet to truly capitalize in a major way, the former Spur has managed to score in double figures in all three contests since joining Boston.

Coach Udoka provided a brief update on the Smart injury after the game stating Smart was “limping pretty noticeably.”

With just one game remaining before the 2022 All-Star break, it seems highly unlikely that Smart will suit up Wednesday night against the porous Pistons.

With Smart out, the Boston Celtics utilized Brown and Tatum’s playmaking abilities as they brought the ball up in addition to Derrick White.

Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser ( nine points 3-5 shooting from 3-point range) could also see extended minutes if Smart is indeed out Wednesday night.

It should be interesting to see if Udoka will slide White into the starting lineup or continue to deploy him as the sixth man.