NBA news: Boston Celtics bench rotation finally taking shape

This is definitely not the first time the bench for the Boston Celtics has come to life, giving hope to fans that they’ll finally play well enough to string together a run.

Here’s hoping their recent success isn’t just an aberration, much like the encouraging signs early in the season.

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Head coach Brad Stevens has been playing with the bench rotation all season. It’s been a game of mix-and-match that has been dictated by injuries, inconsistent play of young players learning the NBA ropes, and match-ups.

Too many times a player has delivered an outstanding game only to fail to have an impact when given more minutes the following game. Outside of Robert Williams, many players off the bench have failed to consistently show up.

The tinkering by Stevens appears to have paid off and as of late, he’s settled on a group of five to lead the bench: Williams, Payton Pritchard, Jeff Teague, Semi Ojeleye, and Grant Williams.

Better play has resulted in a four-game winning streak for the Celtics as they head into the All-Star break.

During the winning streak, led by this group of players, the bench is averaging 38.5 points per game. This was punctuated by a 51-point effort in a victory over the Toronto Raptors. Boston’s bench shot 77 percent (20-26) in this game, including 6-10 from three-point range.

The one hiccup for the bench during this stretch was Boston’s last-second victory over the Washington Wizards. Bench players only contributed 26 points and had 7 turnovers, though the rotation was a little different because Jaylen Brown was rested that game.

Thanks to the run this last week, the Celtics have climbed back to fourth place in the Eastern Conference. And plenty can be attributed to Boston’s bench.

Boston Celtics bench players on the rise

It’s been the steady improvement of Robert Williams III that has been impressive. It began late last year in the bubble and the well-deserved hype has only increased lately.

During this four-game winning streak, Williams is averaging 10.8 points and 8 rebounds per game. He’s only missed six shots (17-23) and has also impressed with his passing in dishing out 11 assists.

Williams is also becoming a pest on the defensive end, with three blocked shots in each of the last two games.

There’s been a lot of internet chatter clamoring for Williams to be in the starting lineup, but at this point, I see no reason to mess with the chemistry the bench rotation is building. I’d rather see him on the floor more at the end of the games for his defensive prowess.

Pritchard has lent a helping hand since game one. There were some struggles in the second part of February, in which he only hit double-digits in scoring once after a 20-point game on February 11.

Two games in March and Pritchard appears to be back on track. He’s totaled 24 points and is 6-10 from beyond the arc.

For a time, Pritchard had taken minutes away from Teague, but the veteran has found a rhythm once again. Over the last five games, Teague is averaging 10.6 points per game and 17-28 from the field. Teague’s turnovers are still a problem but as long as he contributing in other areas, they can be (slightly) forgiven.

Grant Williams and Ojeleye seem to be alternating in playing well and, in turn, receiving more minutes. Williams is the recent recipient and had one of the best — if not the best — game of his career against Toronto. He had 17 points on 7-9 shooting and also pulled down four rebounds.

Ojeleye brings better defense to the table but has shown better output on offense at various times throughout the season. This includes a 24-point outburst on 2/11 against Toronto.

Others have contributed as well and will likely continue to do so as match-ups dictate. But it’s rather nice to see a core group has risen to the occasion and a nice rotation has been developed.

The one thing that will need tinkering again is when the return of Marcus Smart occurs. That’s a good problem to have, though, and Smart’s return will be enthusiastically embraced.

Boston opens with the Brooklyn Nets post All-Star break. No easy task but as long as the bench keeps playing like this and the starters shine, then the good times will most definitely keep on rolling.