Boston Celtics: 3 takeaways from C’s critical Game 5 win in Miami

Boston Celtics takeaway No. 3) C’s are comfortable with a seven-man rotation

When the Boston Celtics are at full strength, they are one of the toughest matchups in the entirety of the NBA.

With their typical starting five of Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford, and Rob Williams each playing close to forty minutes a night, there is little room for the reserves.

Grant Williams and Derrick White are typically the first two shamrocks off the bench. Payton Pritchard has often been a spark plug for the C’s and has not been too far behind the above duo.

As part of his in-game adjustments in Game 5, PP was left on the bench for the second half. Pritch can give Boston buckets in bunches, but occasionally Udoka will roll on without him.

Daniel Theis is another reserve who sees their minutes fluctuate on a game-to-game basis. From starting earlier in the series to now not seeing the floor during the Wednesday night matchup, Theis has fallen quite far.

Matchups certainly play a factor, but in his little action this series, the German big man has not been impressive.

Game 5 established that Ime Udoka will roll with seven guys if need be. It may not be sustainable for a whole other series, but for the remainder of the Eastern Conference Finals, we may not see much of PP and Daniel Theis.