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Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, Kemba Walker, Enes Kanter and Daniel Theis all missed games during the past three weeks — while the Celtics just won their eighth game in their last nine. The bench — largely composed of rookies — continues to lift the C’s to wins.
The Magic stuck within several possessions, themselves missing three rotation players. Boston pulled away late, with Grant Williams scoring double-figures in another closing effort and Romeo Langford converting 3-of-4 in his first NBA start.
The Celtics discussed all that and the impending trade deadline after.
Brad Stevens: “Grant’s been really good ... he’s figuring out where his spots are.”
Gordon Hayward: “I think (Romeo Langford) is ahead of the curve.”
Hayward had 23 points, seven rebounds and seven assists to lead the short-handed Celtics past the Magic, 116-100.
Jayson Tatum: “I think something slowed down a little bit, where maybe I was rushing at the beginning of the season.”
Tatum had a team-high 33 points to lead the short-handed Celtics and talked about his continued improvement around the rim.