Rozier happy to get back in
TORONTO — Terry Rozier didn’t get word from the training staff that he was ready to play last night until roughly 45 minutes prior to tip-off against the Raptors.
The point guard’s already easy smile had a transforming effect, something akin to joy. All he wants to do is play basketball, and from Rozier’s recollection, his ankle-related scratch in Milwaukee Tuesday night was the first time, ever, that he missed a game to injury.
“Usually if I missed a game it was because I did something in school or something like that,” he said.
That’s why the Celtics’ loss in Milwaukee was excruciating for Rozier. It snapped the Celts’ six-game win streak, with Rozier off the floor for the first time this season. Rookie teammate Jayson Tatum is now the only Celtic on track to play all 82 games this year.
“Very tough. I don’t really miss games. Just being in the back watching, seeing us fall short was really tough,” said Rozier. “I wanted to be out there with them.”
But, as Brad Stevens intones like a mantra, health is more important than another regular-season win at this time of year.
“That’s all year round, our medical staff and coaches do a great job of making the right decision,” said Rozier. “Sometimes you have to be selfish with your body. You can’t risk things. They do a good job of helping us with that decision.
“I make the final call and they do what they can to help me,” he said. “They’re not trying to pressure me. But we have things coming up trying to accomplish that are more important than today.”
League leniency
Marcus Morris’ pockets won’t be a tad lighter after all. According to a league source, the NBA doesn’t plan to fine the Celtics forward for patting referee James Williams on the butt while walking off the floor following his ejection during last Sunday’s game against the Raptors.
The Garden crowd certainly loved Morris’ flair, cheering his exit after picking up two technical fouls for verbal beefs with Toronto’s Serge Ibaka and C.J. Miles.
Morris was worried, though. He posted an apology on Twitter shortly after the incident.
Positive vibes
From what Rozier can tell, Kyrie Irving’s spirits are very much on a high note as the Celtics guard rehabs from minor knee surgery, with a goal of returning in the second round of the playoffs.
“He’s at the practice facility,” said Rozier. “We joke and talk. He’s doing pretty good, up there every day getting treatment, trying to stay level-headed. But he’s fine. You can never tell that he’s hurt. He still interacts with everybody, jokes with everybody, things like that.”
Allen keeps cool
Perhaps the most revealing part of Kadeem Allen’s first NBA start in Milwaukee was the rookie’s virtually mistake-free performance. He had only one turnover in 22 minutes.
“Being a point guard, trying to take care of the ball. My college coach was hard on me about turning it over in college, so I told myself, once I get to the next level just take care of the ball and get my teammates open,” said Allen, who also became a prime example of the value of the Maine Red Claws, and their exclusive affiliation with the Celtics and Stevens’ system.
Allen was prepared well for his move up to the parent club.
“In the beginning (the pace was quicker than normal),” he said of the Milwaukee game. “The first five minutes I was pretty tired. I got caught up in the speed of the game, but teammates and coaches told me to slow down and take the open shots, play basketball.
“It’s a little different from G-League and I’m still learning,” said Allen. “Guys on the court talked me up a lot to help me out. But defense is just defense, being in the right spot, just being active and making plays.”
In the end, Allen walked out with a positive experience in his first NBA start. He even blocked an Eric Bledsoe shot.
“It felt good, my first career start in the NBA,” he said. “My teammates and coaches supported me the whole game, just told me to play my game, and if I made mistakes to keep playing. That’s what I tried to do. It felt good. You work your whole life to play basketball, and when you get a chance to start, it shows that the hard work is starting to pay off.”