Boston Celtics: Boston Celtics: 3 keys to victory for short-handed C’s over Toronto

Boston Celtics key to victory No. 1) Pitch in on the glass

Daniel Theis and Grant Williams are the two top candidates for increased playing time without Horford and Williams III. This means the C’s will be a bit undermanned in the rebounding department.

Grant has shown he can hold his own at the four and even provide a solid box out on the glass. Theis is no slouch either, but can that duo hold their own for 30+ minutes each?

The Raptors are a tough team to test this against as they are tenth in the NBA in rebounds per game. Led by a plethora of bigs that rebound well including Chris Boucher, Precious Achiuwa, and Pascal Siakam, the shamrocks have their work cut out for them.

It will be interesting to see who first-year head coach Ime Udoka chooses as his big man off the bench. With a lack of options behind Theis and Grant, he could be forced to play small against a not-so-small team.

Based on recent, late-game usage, it will probably be Luke Kornet who steps to the floor first as a big. Could Ime opt to start small and bring Grant off the bench? That is certainly an option, but without Tatum, a less-likely one.

Without Tatum, Horford, and Time Lord the shamrock’s top three rebounders on the season, Boston has a sizeable challenge ahead if all three are in fact out.

If Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart can step up and get gritty on the glass, Boston has a chance.

It’s going to take a complete team effort to outrebound the dinosaurs, and one Theis and Grant can’t handle alone.