Celtics' young wing is quickly impressing Joe Mazzulla

The Boston Celtics couldn't make it four wins in a row on Saturday night at TD Garden. They ran into a more talented and fresher Houston Rockets team. While the hosts were on the second half of a back-to-back and playing their sixth game in nine days, the visitors just had two days off.

However, as forgettable as their 128-101 loss to Kevin Durant and Co. was, there were positive developments that unfolded. One of them was seeing the all-around contributions from Baylor Scheierman.

The second-year wing led Boston in scoring, producing 17 points. The former Creighton Bluejays sharpshooter knocked down four of the five threes he hoisted. He made six of his seven field goal attempts.

Beyond his scoring, he impressed while receiving opportunities to pick up Durant, Amen Thompson, and Alperen Sengun full court. That includes when his pressure led to an offensive foul by the latter. Beyond that, Scheierman came up with a pair of steals and displayed sound positional defense.

The former first-round pick also made an impact on the glass, including a textbook box out on Sengun to corrall a rebound while wedged in between the Rockets' star center and Steven Adams. It was one of the six-foot-six wing's five rebounds.

Following his best game of this season, certainly in this author's opinion, Scheierman discussed his increased comfort level in his second year in the Association.

"It gives me a peace of mind when I'm going throughout the season, knowing there's going to be highs and lows — and just being able to stay steady and ride those, and just be ready whenever my number's called," said Scheierman.

Joe Mazzulla impressed by Scheierman's defense

A drubbing like Saturday's didn't require much of an explanation from Joe Mazzulla afterward. However, his post-game media availability provided a chance to share what he has seen from Scheierman.

"I think he's done it," said Mazzulla when asked what the Celtics are hoping to see from him. "I think in the Cleveland game he had, whether it was five possessions, two possessions, it doesn't matter, like we just need possessions of execution of what we want done. So he had, I think it was maybe two or three possessions on [Donovan] Mitchell, he had two or three on [Tyrese] Maxey the other night.

"Like you just got to string together possessions of what we need and accomplish those and execute on those. And that just builds trust, it builds discipline, it builds a habit. So, he's bought into that -- of these -- are the things that we need you to do. And the points are obviously, you know, that's a bonus, but the other stuff is way more important. And he's continued to work at doing that."

And while Scheierman's standout trait entering the 2024 NBA Draft was his shooting, it's paramount that he continues proving he brings more to the table. Like his physical transformation, he's been consistent with his progress on that front. It now looks like he has made a significant leap defensively and on the glass.

"I mean, he's gotten us offensive rebounds. He's forced three turnovers a game in the last two games. Like he's just doing all the things that either help us win the shot margin or give us a chance and play to the way that we want to play," voiced Mazzulla post-game.

Those contributions are helping Boston win on the margins. They combine with his shooting and comfort in creating plays off the dribble, especially for his teammates. It all points to a second-year player who is impressing in his opportunities and poised for more.