The Boston Celtics have an important stretch of basketball ahead of them in the second half of the season. The All-Star break has come and gone, and now, Boston is staring down a 27-game regular-season stretch before the postseason. And in that time frame, Joe Mazzulla has some work to do.
Last year, Mazzulla kept a very tight playoff rotation. He only played the guys he trusted, and the result was a championship for Boston. But it’s a new year. A lot of the players on the roster are the same, but some guys have been playing at a much higher level this season.
Now, Mazzulla has the last 27 games of the year to iron out his playoff rotation, and these are the guys who he needs to play in order to figure it out.
Torrey Craig
The newest Celtic, Torey Craig, made his Boston debut in the final game before the All-Star break. Craig is a defensive pest who can knock down threes off the catch.
If Mazzulla wants to see what the Celtics have in him, playing him regular minutes down the stretch of the season will be crucial because he could be a useful tool in the playoffs.
Having a guy who can wreak havoc on defense and hit some shots would be nice to have in the postseason, especially if Sam Hauser has a cold night.
Luke Kornet
Last postseason, Luke Kornet didn’t play much in the playoffs. He was dealing with injuries at the time, and even when he came back, Mazzulla rolled with Xavier Tillman in the Finals over him.
But this year, Kornet has been awesome. He’s been a crucial part of the Celtics’ double-big lineups, which have looked great for them in recent weeks.
Mazzulla should continue to give Kornet big minutes down the stretch, testing him with different lineups to prepare for the playoffs.
Payton Pritchard
Payton Pritchard will play in the postseason. That’s not the point. The question is, will Pritchard end up closing some games for the Celtics in the playoffs?
That’s the question Mazzulla should try to answer by playing him more throughout the course of the regular season.
By closing more games with Pritchard (likely over Jrue Holiday), Mazzulla could look to see if he’s comfortable ending playoff contests with Pritchard on the floor.