Looking deep in the paint for healthy bodies

NEW YORK — Three games into the new season, and the Celtics were already without their two top big men heading into Saturday night’s game against the Knicks.

Daniel Theis, who sprained his right ankle during Friday night’s win over Toronto, was too injured to play, and thus joined Enes Kanter (knee bruise) in sick bay.

“Sometimes, the night it happens they check it at halftime and said he was good to go but he’d probably be in a little pain (Saturday) and we didn’t want him to fly because of swelling and those other things. We’re slowly working our way towards five-less, but we’ve got a few more left.”

Robert Williams got the start against the Knicks’ big front line, including Mitchell Robinson, Julius Randle and old friend Marcus Morris. Though Williams sometimes struggled during exhibition season, his most recent play during the Toronto game pointed to a player once again on the upswing.

“I thought he did some good things. There’s a lot to improve,” said Stevens. “But clearly better than that first exhibition game. But that’s what you’re supposed to do – go back and do the film work, determine things you can do better. But he has so much ability, especially in the defensive end, that we still need him to protect that rim as much as possible, and that’s going to be really important tonight.”

Stevens was thus forced to look at the far end of his center depth, and last night even put Tacko Fall on the active roster behind Williams and Vincent Poirier.

A little behind

Poirier, who made his first NBA appearance after not leaving the bench in the first two games, has had the disadvantage of playing behind more experienced players – thus the French big man’s inactivity the first two games.

“I don’t know if he’s necessarily needed more time. I just think Theis is a little bit ahead and Rob has shown some good things at times,” Steven said. “And they’ve both been here for a year, so I think they both have done good things and obviously Ennis has accomplished more than any of them in the NBA. Now we’re down and he’ll see some time tonight, for sure.”

Playing in paint

Grant Williams finished the Toronto game at center with a small but quick unit, and held his own physically and mentally. The rookie will play an increasing role in the paint whenever Stevens turns to his small ball lineup – something the Celtics coach clearly prefers to do.

“He’s able to do that because of his strength. Now (the Knicks) are a bit different because these guys are built on size,” said Stevens. “They’re so strong all the way up and down their lineup so it’s a bit of a challenge from a pure physical strength standpoint. Randle gives them a lot of options because of his ability to play the four or the five, and then playing Morris at the three is tough. And let alone Barrett. Barrett’s a big, strong kid. It presents a whole new challenge. Can Grant do that again tonight? We’ll see.”

Right at home

Morris has made himself right at home with the Knicks, averaging 18.5 points and shooting 6-for-10 from 3-point range in his first two games.

“Toughness. One of the things about Marcus that I would say, he’s just an easy guy to coach,” said the Celtics coach. “He’s tough, he’s a team guy, he competes, all that stuff. But what everybody see is how easy he is to be around every day and coach. He’s a guy we’re certainly fond of and he’s a heck of a player. He started off the season and the preseason really well.”