Williams takes big steps in rout
Celtics send Rockets to 16th straight loss
For the first seven minutes or so the Celtics got a feeling that they were back in Brooklyn, getting strafed by great shot-makers, except that these were the Rockets, a team on a 15-game losing streak with most of its starters either sidelined or demanding a trade.
The fact that those early troubles evaporated was as much a testament to Houston’s lottery-bound nature as the Celtics’ ability to finally realize their place in this relationship.
They have now won five of their last six games thanks to the eventual blowout — a 134-107 decision over Houston, now ensnarled in a 16-game losing streak.
Though Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum kicked the offense into gear with a respective 24 and 23 points, and Kemba Walker overcame a slow start for a 16-point, five-assist finish, the bench was as responsible for this emphatic close-out as anyone.
Rob Williams, in particular, ruled the paint at both ends, blocking three shots as the exclamation point on a 16-point, 13-rebound double-double that also included 7-for-7 shooting, all on dunks.
Most of all, Williams played 19 minutes — a total that is expected to rise as the season goes on. For a player in the midst of a breakout season — the season everyone hoped for if Williams was able to remain healthy for the first time in three years — his role will only expand from here.
“I mean, he was really good,” Brad Stevens said of his young center’s ability to control the paint at both ends. “Tristan (Thompson) was really good too. They both were really good tonight. They both ended up with doublefigure rebounds.
“Rob obviously had a doubledouble, but I just think we can make it so that he can play more, and more and more as the season goes on.”
The hope is that by continuing to monitor and limit Williams’ minutes now, he’ll be more available down the stretch and in the playoffs. Williams can sense the uptick in playing time, too.
“It’s just obviously a great confidence-booster, really just me trying to help my team I guess you could say,” said Williams, who had the opportunity to play in front of his father and stepmother Sunday night.
“Obviously the best ability is availability, shout out to (Danny Ainge) for always telling me that, but like I said, it’s a big blessing just to be able to go out there every day and run.”
And to stay on the floor, too. Stevens indicated that he may be going less with double bigs lineups from now on, Sunday night with Daniel Theis, who only played seven first-half minutes, the odd man out in the rotation.
“The density of the games and his history, especially last year, we’re just being conservative. But he’s getting a lot better. You can see that,” Stevens said of Williams’ expanded role. “And he’s able to play a little bit longer stints than he has in the past, because he plays really hard when he’s out there.
“So that’s all encouraging. I thought (Williams and Thompson) both did a good job,” said the Celtics coach. “I talked to Theis at halftime — we’re going to be in a situation more now where one of those guys isn’t playing as much as we’re smaller. It won’t be the same guys every night, because it’ll be matchup-dependent, and kind of who’s going. But all three are good players. Rob, obviously, gives us an upside there that I think we just need to keep building and building and building.”
For teammates like Jaylen Brown, Williams’ growth has been obvious this season.
“Rob has been great for us,” said Brown. “He’s even getting better as the days are going on — feeling it as we play off of each other. Rob has been really good.”
Resting for the grind: The fourth quarter was Tacko (Fall) time thanks to the lead run up by the regulars over the first three quarters. The upcoming schedule considered, an opportunity for rest over the last 12 minutes of a game is vital.
“It was a good win for us. We definitely needed that, seeing the ball go in a few times,” said Brown. “We’re getting everybody back healthy now, so that was a good confidence booster for us.”
Brown gets his groove back: Brown’s struggles during Friday’s loss in Brooklyn considered, Sunday’s 9-for-14, 24-point performance — much of it in the paint — was a refreshing change.
“My team needed me to make shots,” he said. “The last game I got great looks — they just didn’t go down. They went down today, so I just keep rolling from there.”