3 niche Boston Celtics lineups Ime Udoka could deploy in 2022-23

Boston Celtics niche lineup No. 2: Marcus Smart, Malcolm Brogdon, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford

Calling this lineup ‘niche’ may be a stretch considering it could end up being the third most used lineup behind last year’s starting five and this lineup 1-4 with Robert Williams at the 5. Still, it represents the five most accomplished players on the Cs roster and feels like the group most worthy of being trusted for two-way contributions at the end of close games.

Marcus Smart and Malcolm Brogdon figure to be perfect backcourt mates, with Brogdon’s efficiency cutting into Smart’s shot attempts and Smart’s defense putting him in front of the opposing team’s best perimeter player.

If the ‘Time Lord’ ends up on the shelf for any reason during the 2022-23 season, it’s not hard to imagine Ime Udoka deploying this lineup for big minutes to get the Cs through such a stretch. Williams played his most games ever last season and still missed 21 due to injury.

Even still, the shooting ability of each member of this quintet, particularly in the mid-range/in-between, makes this a lineup Hardwood Houdini would like to see in large doses during the upcoming campaign.