Off one of their more dominant wins of the season the Celtics are headed off on another three game road trip that starts Saturday night in Washington D.C. for the second leg of a back-to-back against the Wizards. Now up to 21-19 on the season, Brad Stevens spoke on what the excellent performance from the bench vs. Phoenix beyond the win:
Obviously you don't go into the game thinking about tomorrow night, you're just trying to do you're best in that game. But Isaiah played the 1st and the 3rd and didn't play at all in the 2nd or 4th...he was getting ready to sub in the 2nd and that was when Kelly started going and that group got going, so we just let him rest. For him to end up with 24 minutes and for Amir to play less than 20 was probably a good thing.
Along with the substantial rest Isaiah Thomas (24 min) and Amir Johnson (18 min) were able to receive in the game, no starter went over 30 minutes at all besides Avery Bradley (38 min). The rest bodes well not only for a back-to-back situation, but for a team that relies so heavily on effort and constant energy to succeed. It has appeared that the packed roster or depth, depending on how you view it, has handed the C's more problems than benefits this season but tonight showed how it can be helpful in certain spots.
Stevens also commented on the team's fantastic shooting night and the continued improvement of Smart following his triple-double:
Everything feels better when the ball hits the net...he can shoot that basketball he was clearly feeling good and once he hit one, or two, then the rim just looks a little wider. It was good, we needed a night where we shot the ball well from three.
I don't think confidence is ever an issue with Smart...he believes he can excel out there. he's getting better every time he hits the court, he did some really good things tonight including guarding Mirza when Mirza got going...we need him to be a jack of all trades.
Watch the video above for Brad Stevens' full presser with the media. Subscribe to the CLNS Radio Youtube channel for more Celtics video. The Garden Report is Hosted and Executive Produced by Jared Weiss and Produced by Jeremy Karpf for CLNS Radio.