BOSTON — When Jayson Tatum finally strolled to the bench to get a breather, it was already nearly 18 minutes into Saturday’s game against the Lakers. Then just 2:34 of action later, Tatum was right back on the court to close out the first half. And for the rest of the game, Tatum played every single second to close out the Lakers.
It was clear what message C’s coach Joe Mazzulla was sending throughout a playoff-like game Saturday. But if the subtlety didn’t get across during the Celtics' 111-101 win over the Lakers, he was more blunt about it postgame. Not only was it practice for the playoffs to play those heavy minutes, more importantly, he wanted the victory.
“Obviously it’s the Celtics-Lakers, and you’re a part of that, and that’s important,” Mazzulla said. “I feel like there’s moments that you give those guys chances to be able to be a part of that. Al (Horford) played 37 (minutes). Everybody on this roster is playing for a legacy, and you do it together, and I felt like that was a great moment for them to be able to compete at a high level for as long as they wanted to.
“It’s my way of saying that you better win, and I like watching them play.”
Of course, it wasn’t just Tatum who had extended playing time Saturday. Jaylen Brown played 42 strenuous minutes. Horford added another 37, including playing the entire third quarter. The C’s were without Kristaps Porzingis for the fifth straight game, so Mazzulla rolled with an eight-man rotation. Only Payton Pritchard (23 minutes), Luke Kornet (11) and Sam Hauser (12) came off the bench.
Brown’s minutes also came with the bonus of playing dogged defense — especially on Luka Doncic. His teammates often praise his two-way play, and that was on full display Saturday. Not only did Brown score 31 points, he was also making plays on the other end of the court. Tatum, too, as he poured in 40 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists in another stellar night filling up the box score while affecting the game elsewhere.
“You’ve got to be in incredible shape, first off,” Brown said. “I think that pretty much sums it up. You got to be in great shape. We have a great team, and each and every night, it’s an honor to be able to be a part of a winning group. And I’m willing to make sacrifices on either end to get the job done. But on any given night, I could be the best on the floor on offense or defense, and my team knows that and respects that.”
The Celtics have had plenty of formidable foes of late, whether it’s been the Lakers, Cavaliers, Nuggets or the Thunder this upcoming week. So with the playoffs roughly a month away, it gives them the opportunity to lock in for marquee matchups.
Games like Saturday are also valuable as a playoff preview. The physicality was evident as bodies hit the floor on rebounds and guys were scrapping for any extra advantage. Guys like Tatum and Brown also need to feel the effects of a heavy-minutes game to get them prepared for the playoffs, like they’ve done for years now.
“We’re always in constant communication with each other,” Tatum said about his minutes. “Probably not going to play every game rest of the season, but kind of building up your stamina going into the playoffs, knowing that certain nights you might play 45, 44 minutes. So just kind of getting your body ready for that.”
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