Boston Celtics: 3 takeaways from rout over Washington Wizards
Boston Celtics takeaway No. 2) The bench was unreal
To put it simply, there was no dropoff between the starters and the bench during this outing.
The unit erupted for what was one of the best games of the season for them, notching 67 points in the runaway victory.
The Boston Celtics played all 13 players on their roster who were available and dressed to play. Ime Udoka largely stuck to his typical eight-man rotation up until five or six minutes to go in the final frame.
The first three off the bench were sensational in their performances against the Wizards.
Derrick White had one of his best games as a Celtic, scoring 17 points to go along with five assists, five boards, and three steals for good measure. He also found the bottom of the net on a consistent basis, connecting on all three of his long-distance shots.
Grant Williams continued to excel in that seventh man role with the way he screens for his teammates, moves without the ball, and connects from his corner office.
He is also an irritant defensively and plays way above what his 6-6 frame would suggest.
The forward finished with 16 points, three rebounds, and two blocks while hitting four triples, mostly from his coveted corner spot. He is without a doubt one of the best marksmen in the league currently and possibly the most effective from the short corners.
Payton Pritchard’s development as a shooter and ball-handler has been a joy to watch this season. The point guard continues to be unconscious from deep and netted four of seven from distance today and wound up dropping 14 points with three assists for good measure.
In the closing minutes, we saw the Aaron Nesmith show and he could be a candidate for some rotational minutes come playoff time.
11 points in eight minutes of play which included a slew of 3-point attempts to get the crowd on their feet in the fourth. I strongly feel he should get some minutes as the ninth man in a playoff rotation while Rob is out.
He makes winning plays and very few will outwork him on a basketball court.