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Every playoff run has an unexpected hero. No, I’m not talking about Jaylen Brown. While his massive 40-point performance will lead off all the talk shows Friday, a lesser-known bench player stepped up to turn the game.
Oshae Brissett.
Brissett, part of the Celtics’ “stay-ready group” — bench players that don’t see regular minutes — was inserted into the lineup following an injury to Luke Kornet. The Toronto native provided an instant spark and finished as a +18 on the floor.
“Going in at that time could definitely turn things around, positive or negative,” Brissett said. “So I feel like I did a good job of turning us in the positive way and keeping that energy.”
Brissett hadn’t played a significant minute during Boston’s run up to this point, and only appeared during cleanup duty when a game was out of reach.
His performance reinforced the meaning behind the “stay-ready group,” and proved that the Celtics have 15 guys that are locked in on the singular goal, banner 18.
And while he didn’t impact the game through scoring, Brissett’s rebounding (three) and defensive pressure (three steals) gave Boston a different look on the court that it hasn’t had up to this point.
“Just working out every day you know, stay in the gym, and stay focused all game, doesn't matter when my name is called it could have been first, second, third, or fourth quarter,”
Brissett said. “I’m sitting right out there next to the coaches trying to watch and just being there in the moment.”
With Brissett in the lineup, and both Kornet and Porzingis injured, Boston for the first time this playoffs turned to its small-ball lineup, with Jayson Tatum playing the traditional center role.
“I think it allowed us to play a little bit faster, and you know, each game presents different challenges,” Tatum said. “We just have to be open to different things and you know, whenever your number’s called, whatever you're asked to do, just be ready to do it.”
Tatum at the 5 is something the Celtics have used in spurts throughout his career, and it allows them to run in a way they couldn’t with Kornet there. It does present some challenges in the rebounding department, even with Tatum being a great rebounder. In the third quarter, Indiana had multiple possessions with offensive rebounds, finishing the game with 13.
For Tatum, it’s just about playing his best defense, no matter what “position” he may be slotted in.
“We got defensive principles that you know, we follow and it's just about being connected, communicating, and playing hard,” Tatum said. “Then going up and trying to get a rebound.”
The lineup has been something that fans have been calling for since Porzingis went down, and it has its pros and cons. Al Horford playing upwards of 40 minutes a night has proven ineffective, and Kornet has had trouble defending the Pacers’ potent offensive attack.
“I think I like the speed, like the athleticism, or like the spacing that we have,” Joe Mazzulla said. “It presents strengths and some weaknesses that we have to be ready for, but I think the open-mindedness throughout the year to play different ways kind of prepares us for situations like this.”
Turning small, even if it’s just for a couple of minutes each night, gives Horford much needed time on the bench, and the Celtics more chances to run with Indiana. Even if Kornet is healthy, look for Mazzulla to go small for the rest of the series.
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