When the Celtics dropped three consecutive video games to the Warriors final June to lose the NBA Finals, it was clear they wanted one other playmaking guard and scoring punch off the bench to assist them recover from the hump.
A number of weeks later, Brad Stevens addressed it when he orchestrated a commerce with the Pacers for Malcolm Brogdon in what was considered as among the best strikes of the summer time throughout the league.
As the common season winds down, that deal has confirmed to be well worth the hype. Brogdon is the frontrunner to be named the NBA’s sixth man of the yr and a major purpose why the Celtics are championship favorites after they start their playoff pursuit subsequent week.
Wednesday was one more huge mark on Brogdon’s sixth man candidacy. With Jayson Tatum out as he continues to nurse a nagging hip damage and will get some additional relaxation earlier than the playoffs and Jaylen Brown struggling by way of a troublesome capturing evening, a shorthanded Celtics squad as soon as once more confirmed why they’re a lot greater than their two All-Stars. Brogdon led the best way with 29 factors – which included some huge performs within the second half – because the C’s held off the hungry Raptors for a 97-93 victory at TD Garden.
The Celtics locked in to the No. 2 seed within the Eastern Conference playoffs after the Bucks beat the Bulls to clinch the No. 1 seed. Boston possible might want to undergo Milwaukee to get again to the NBA Finals, however Joe Mazzulla’s group is deeper than earlier than with Brogdon and a plethora of bench choices who’ve the aptitude to make main contributions.
The C’s know they’ve a game-changer in Brogdon, who has matched and in some methods even exceeded expectations this season because the chief of among the best bench models within the NBA. And whereas the C’s aren’t chasing particular person awards, there’s a transparent hope contained in the locker room that Brogdon claims sixth man of the yr.
“It would honestly be great,” Brogdon mentioned. “I believe it could be a testomony to the staff. I believe we’ve got guys on this staff who’re carrying out lots this yr. We received two All-Stars, most likely two All-NBA guys, Derrick (White) may make the All-Defensive staff. It can be one other award for the staff, for certain. …
“But that’s not my focus, that’s not the team’s focus. I think we built some more good habits tonight. I think that’s what was most important.”
That sort of humility has been a major purpose why the Celtics are within the place they’re in with two common season video games left. After spending six seasons as a starter with the Pacers, Brogdon particularly picked the Celtics, understanding he’d come off the bench however understanding he can be a key a part of a championship-aspiring staff. He’s embraced his function since Day 1. On Wednesday, he mentioned, “being in Boston, being a Celtic fits me perfectly.”
Soon, that would imply being a Sixth Man of the Year – an award he actually hasn’t got down to accomplish however would characterize the humility that’s pushed the Celtics all season.
“It would mean a lot,” Mazzulla mentioned. “The humility that he brings to our team, he takes that pride in the second unit. In order to be a great team, you have to have people like that and we have that from top to bottom. Different guys do different things and Malcolm has come in here with patience, humility and understanding. Credit to the locker room for embracing and empowering him. I hope he gets it, he deserves it. When he plays at a high level we’re really good. Our depth is a huge strength of ours.”
In addition to Tatum’s absence, the Celtics had been with out Marcus Smart and Al Horford on the second evening of a back-to-back. Brown was removed from himself, ending with 25 factors on 12-for-29 capturing and simply 1-for-9 from 3-point vary. But in beginning a bunch that included Sam Hauser and Mike Muscala, the Celtics had sufficient towards the Raptors, who’re combating for seeding within the play-in event.
Muscala had 12 factors on three 3-pointers. White had 17 factors. Hauser, although he simply made one in every of eight 3-point makes an attempt, made a number of hustle performs. Blake Griffin continued to show he deserves a playoff function as an vitality spark plug because the Celtics’ depth confirmed out once more.
The Celtics, after a sluggish 0-for-7 begin to the sport, responded to take a double-digit lead at halftime and led by as many as 13 within the third quarter and needed to battle off a number of Raptors runs down the stretch. Pascal Siakam scored 14 consecutive factors for Toronto throughout one stretch within the third because the Celtics’ lead whittled down to 2.
But Brogdon appeared to have each reply. After the Raptors reduce their deficit to 2, the guard made a second-chance 3-pointer, then banked in a floater with two seconds remaining to revive Boston’s result in seven going into the ultimate interval.
The Celtics led by 9 early within the fourth quarter however the Raptors charged again to even the sport at 82 with 6:22 remaining. That’s when Brogdon answered immediately with a pull-up 3-pointer, and after a defensive cease, he discovered Muscala slicing for a layup to place the Celtics again up 5.
Toronto reduce Boston’s lead again to 3 with 3:21 to go however Brown discovered Muscala, who hit a 3-pointer. And the Celtics rode that – and their bench – to the end.
“I think it’s our biggest strength,” Muscala mentioned of the Celtics’ depth. “It’s a really deep team. To be shorthanded or to be able to have guys that can rest on back-to-backs, I think is, since I’ve been here, has been good for the team.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com