Four-gone conclusion
G-Leaguer Allen makes start at point
CELTICS NOTEBOOK
MILWAUKEE — Kadeem Allen became the first twoway contract player in Celtics history to get a start last night, though, of course, along with Jabari Bird, he
one of the first two twoway contract players in franchise history.
But on this year’s team, he also os the fifth-string point guard, pressed into a start last night when Terry Rozier’s balky left ankle — tweaked during Sunday’s win against Toronto — failed to respond properly.
With Shane Larkin missing the trip because of an illness, Brad Stevens had nowhere to turn except to Allen, a rookie.
But at this point, especially with the way Rozier has been playing, he’s precious cargo. There’s also no guarantee Rozier will play tonight in Toronto. Not with the playoffs five games away.
“It is a little bit crazy to think that,” Stevens said of being down to his fifth point guard. “Every one of them — (Marcus) Smart hit his hand on the floor, Kyrie (Irving’s) knee has been well-documented, Terry’s knee is 80-85 percent, and Shane got hit by the worst bug you can get hit by in the last couple of days. Move on and find somebody who’s ready to go.”
Rozier showed up for yesterdays’ shootaround fully expecting to play but was forced to change his mind following some drills.
“At the end, we put him through some hard cuts on his own, and he felt a little bit tender going in one direction. That was that,” Stevens said. “If guys need to sit because they’re not 100 percent, they’re going to sit.
“With our health situation being what it is, Terry is going to have a lot of minutes ahead, and we want him to feel great.”
Allen was naturally going to receive lots of help with the ball last night, with Al Horford and even Jayson Tatum — who played point guard briefly Sunday — ready to step in.
“Everyone should know our actions and be able to play any of the five spots,” Stevens said. “If you get thrown out there, that’s what you have to do. Jayson will see some point tonight, Al will play some point tonight, Jaylen Brown will play some point tonight, any of you might play point tonight, we’ll see.”
Good prep work
Allen, known for his defense, had a solid season with the Maine Red Claws, who in turn prepared him well for last night’s emergency start.
“We’ve been doing it all year, just now on another level,” Allen said. “Been practicing with the guys and know what they expect. Just have to come out here and get it done.
“I was talking to Marcus Morris before the season, and he told me it was a game of opportunity, and to be ready. It’s a lot of motivation, especially with guys like us. Keep playing through whatever happens.”
Asked about his nerves, Allen said, “Haven’t really hit me yet. I feel very prepared, just with practices and shootarounds. Just ready for the challenge to get my job done.”
Said Stevens: “He knows what we’re doing, he’s a really good defensive point guard, he can handle the ball and get us into spots, he’s had games where he really scored the ball well in the G-League, and he had good minutes for us the other night. We’ll play with a bunch of different facilitators in a bunch of different places tonight.
“You have to be ready to play — we say that all the time. Kadeem has been patiently waiting his turn. Jabari got in earlier this year and helped us win the Sixers game. You always get your opportunity in this league. Just the way it happens, and hey, it’s a great opportunity for him to go against a guy like (Eric) Bledsoe on a team like this.”
Monroe off-target
As pleased as he is with his Celtics transition, Greg Monroe has one stinging issue with himself.
The center, a 51.4 percent career shooter, was 49.7 from the floor through 20 games as a Celtic heading into last night.
“One thing is making shots I would normally make,” he said. “I’m getting to my spots — it’s on me making those shots. As far as me playing with the guys and the system, I feel totally comfortable with everything. At this point it’s on me and not anything else.”