The Boston Celtics are leaving "The Sunshine State" with a hard-fought, 111-107 victory. It's not just a win that evens their two-tilt mini-series against the Orlando Magic. Sunday at the Kia Center, the visitors got massive contributions from their second unit.
Boston's bench outscored Orlando's 50-18. On an evening where several Celtics had their best game of the season, Luka Garza turned in one of the best of his career.
The four-year veteran came off the pine to deliver 16 points on 7/8 shooting. Beyond the soft touch he consistently demonstrated on his floater, Garza grabbed eight rebounds, including four at the offensive end of the floor. He also dished out three assists and swiped a steal in the victory. His impact earned him 17 minutes of floor time, his second most this season.
"We all want to get out there," voiced Garza after the win, per CLNS Media. "We all play this game for a reason; we want to be on the floor, and we know when we are on the floor, that to make an impact, we've got to play hard. That's a non-negotiable. Effort is a non-negotiable. So that's what we try to bring every time we step on the floor, and do the best with what we've got."
Luka Garza has his best game as a Celtic
Boston has been searching for quality minutes at the center position when starter Neemias Queta goes to the bench. When he has needed a breather or foul trouble has forced him to sit, the team has, too often suffered for it. That wasn't the case on Sunday.
Queta fouled with the Celtics leading by five, 98-93, with 3:30 left in the matchup. Continuing his career night, Garza quickly made an impact. Working out of the dunker spot, he snaked along the baseline as Jaylen Brown drove. When the shot went up, he swiped over the arm of Paolo Banchero, knifing his way to the rebound. His put-back gave the visitors a five-point edge with 2:31 remaining.
It was a play indicative of the six-foot-10 center's best attribute: his effort.
"I think something that's been consistent through my career is when I'm out there, I'm going to play as hard as I can," Garza told Hardwood Houdini earlier this week. "I've been happy with the level of effort and energy that I've brought every time I step on the floor."
While some get impatient or ready to deliver final verdicts after a small sample size, it's too early to write off someone who works that hard and is finally getting the minutes to prove himself in the NBA.
Sunday, the former National Player of the Year, a multiple-time recipient, showed off two staples: setting excellent screens and repeatedly demonstrating soft touch on his floaters. He also worked well out of the dunker spot throughout the evening, especially when it came to finding ways to get his hands on offensive rebounds.
What the Celtics and Garza need now is to build off this. The former is searching for more productive minutes at center when Queta is off the floor. The latter just proved that he can provide them.