Baylor Scheierman got his second start of the season in the Boston Celtics' 98-93 win over the Toronto Raptors. His energy and two-way play helped change the game.
The visitors were on the second night of a back-to-back. They had just gone through an emotional contest against the Philadelphia 76ers. That 123-101 win, which highlighted some of Jayson Tatum's most underrated traits, moved them into first place in the East.
A day after facing Jaylen Brown for the first time, they found themselves down by 22 on the final night of a four-game road trip. By raising his energy, Tatum was a rising tide that lifted all boats. That includes the one captained by a burgeoning wing from Creighton.
Baylor Scheierman an unsung hero in Celtics' win vs. Raptors
The former first-round pick brought a little bit of everything to the table. He put 9 points on the board, burying three of the five 3s he hoisted.
That included a sequence where he dove on the floor for a steal, then drilled a shot from beyond the arc on the other end. It captured the energy and hustle he played with.
Scheierman grabbed seven rebounds, including a pair at the offensive end. When you're trying to erase a 22-point deficit, those extra possessions are crucial.
He also dished out three assists and didn't hesitate to make the extra pass, sacrificing a good shot for a great one. The prime example came when he gathered a kick-out pass from Neemias Queta, baited Ja'Kobe Walter, who was zoning two, and moved the ball to Derrick White for a corner 3.
There was also a sequence that felt like a nod to the 1986 Celtics, arguably the greatest passing team of all time [the 2014 San Antonio Spurs also have a strong case]. It started with a steal by White. He threw the ball ahead to Tatum, who snapped a behind-the-back bounce pass to Scheierman. Instead of going for a layup, he delivered it back to White for two points on textbook execution on a three-on-one. Alijah Martin's effort was commendable, but he stood no chance.
This is the Baylor Scheierman the Celtics need
The third-year wing wasn't just knocking down 3s, making the extra pass, and making his presence felt on the glass; his defense helped Boston clamp down. The visitors staged a 16-0 run that grew into a 29-6 game-changing stretch.
Scheierman, who had two steals and one block in the win, helped force turnovers and generate transition opportunities. On a night when the Celtics tied the second-largest comeback in the Joe Mazzulla era, they got the complete version of the Nebraska native.
It's hard to deliver that consistently when your playing time doesn't match that description. He's part of a crowded depth chart. Paul George's absence in the second half of this back-to-back due to an illness opened up minutes. However, that's the job, and the reality he must thrive in.
Scheierman did so in Wednesday's win. He did it throughout last season. And as a versatile two-way talent with a high IQ and relentless motor, he can deliver this consistently when the Celtics call his number.
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