A not-small part of the Boston Celtics huge win against the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the East Finals on Friday came about from the elevated play of the team’s big men, especially Enes Kanter and Daniel Theis.
The pair played their best respective games in some time at precisely the right moment, helping keep the Celtics’ NBA Finals aspirations on the table.
The Turkish big man’s energy went a long way towards keeping Boston afloat in a lackluster first half that looked like it might be the penultimate of the season.
Instead, the outspoken center spoke out on the glass, using his hands to make a statement on the offensive boards, throwing up a quick four points when the Celtics seemed poised for a collapse.
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“That just kind of kept us at bay — we were struggling,” offered head coach Brad Stevens of Kanter’s first half boost.
“They hit some really tough shots; [Duncan] Robinson was going nuts. Kanter’s points there in the paint I thought really helped,” he observed, “and then helped steady us and give us a chance at halftime only being down seven.”
While Kanter’s stat line of 8 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists may not be eye-popping, it came in just 10 minute of floortime, and was exactly the shot in the arm an energetic but unfocused Celtics offense needed.
Theis had one of his best nights of the postseason to date as well, putting up 15 points, 13 rebounds and 3 blocks.
“I thought he was pretty good all night,” offered Stevens on the German big man.
“He started the game with good energy and defensively. I thought that he was one of our bright spots early but then I thought [in] the second half he was excellent. We need him to provide what he provides and it’s great in the middle of the zone. He caught it twice and scored, and he was great there on the glass on both ends. We need him to be good.”
We got a lot out of that center position tonight,” he added. “That’s important.”
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“Those guys were big-time,” offered Tatum on the pair. “They played with a lot of effort and heart — especially Enes.”
“He’s been in this league a long time, [and] he’s in a unique situation where he never knows if he’s going to play, but he’s always ready to give us that boost, that spark. Especially rebounding and people moving the ball in the low post.”
And he’s a professional — he’s always ready,” he added.
At a moment of great need, they showed up and did their job regardless of the glory in it.
And while Boston’s high-octane wings may justly get the lion’s share of attention in the win, it’s undeniable that this season would have ended had Theis and Kanter not come to play in the moments where it mattered most.
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