On night where stars struggled, Celtics’ bench shows potential as effective second unit

In all the fervor generated with the start of a new NBA campaign — and the potential that comes with it for a loaded Boston Celtics squad — it was easy to block out some of the more pressing questions with this team.

Namely, the instant impact that stars Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving could provide this club, given that both players are coming off of season-ending injuries in 2017-18.

And while a sold-out TD Garden was treated to pyrotechnics and an intricate light show ahead of the opening tip-off of Tuesday’s season opener against the Sixers, Irving and Hayward’s return was a bit more muted.

Shaking off the rust — and nerves — that come from both extended time on the shelf and the prospect of a fresh start, the star duo struggled to settle into a groove offensively, sinking just six of their combined 26 attempts from the field and totaling 17 points.

But still, the Celtics opened a new season with an impressive victory over Philadelphia, closing out the home tilt with 105-87 final.



The rest of Boston’s starters kept the C’s afloat on Tuesday night, with Jayson Tatum’s silky scoring touch leading the club with 23 points and Al Horford anchoring the defense with five blocks.

And while Brad Stevens noted postgame that performances like that from Irving and Hayward will not be the norm this season, the play of Boston’s bench was no shock.

If anything, Boston’s BWA (Bench With Attitude) is expected to produce night in and night out, giving the Celtics a second unit that might push this club over the top as it looks to assert itself as the top power in the Eastern Conference.

Lifted by offensive surges orchestrated by Marcus Morris and Terry Rozier — along with a defensive clinic put down by Aron Baynes down low — the Celtics' bench combined for 44 points on Tuesday, relieving Boston’s stars and making their presence felt against a talented Sixers team.

“Our strength has to be in our depth, and when one guy doesn’t have it going the rest of the team has to pick them up,” Stevens said. “And everybody has to play with great effort because the guy behind him is chomping at the bit to get in.  And so, I thought that all of them did their jobs hard, and I thought had great focus to do it well, and I think that we’ll clean up the offensive stuff.”

Even as Boston’s defense limited quality chances for Philly, the Celtics started to pull away in earnest in the third quarter — a stanza in which Morris helped Boston maintain a double-digit lead by sinking four baskets and eight points over a span of 1:34. He finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds, becoming the first Celtics reserve to post a double-double in a season opener since Brandon Bass did so on Dec. 25, 2011.

Morris gives Boston a mismatch on both sides of the ball and a reliable scoring option off the bench — especially if he’s feeling it with his mid-range game — but Stevens was quick to note that the 29-year-old has had to sacrifice plenty to become a valuable piece on this team.  

“I think when you look at our roster, everybody brings great strengths to the table," Stevens said. "Everybody has to do their roles exceptionally well. But we’re asking more of Marcus Morris than we are of a lot of guys. Because he’s a guy that could be playing 32, 34 minutes a night, starting, and playing a lot for – for a lot of places.

“But for us, we need him to come in and do exactly what he did tonight. And there’ll be games when he plays more. But I couldn’t appreciate a guy more than I appreciate him. Because he’s the one that has really – you know, right from the get-go – he’s played like he’s completely unaffected by role.  He’s just going to play really well when he goes in the game.”

Rozier — in a similar position as Morris given his starting potential on most NBA franchises — also excelled in his role in Boston’s backcourt, recording 11 points, eight rebounds and posting a plus-22 rating while even seeing some time on the court as the primary ballhandler with Irving.

For Irving, who didn’t sink his first basket of the night until 10:46 remaining the third quarter, the efforts of Boston’s bench was much appreciated on a frustrating night. And once the All-Star point guard's game starts to click again, look out.

“We’re a pretty deep team,” Irving said. “A lot of talent. But our effort as we throw waves at other teams is going to be hard for teams to manage because our bench, they’ve been starters one way or another in their career at one point.

“So seeing that live and being supportive from the bench when I’m not out there, and then being able to impact the game is something I’m looking forward to regardless of who’s out there. Playing with Terry is one of my best times that I have out there because I know he’s going to get the rebound, I’m going to get the rebound, we’re going to run to our spots and we’re going to get everybody working on that. I’m just looking forward to the dynamic lineups we have.”