Story by
Joe Mazzulla reveals why he sat starter in second half of Celtics win vs. Raptors
- Story by
- Joe Mazzulla reveals why he sat starter in second half of Celtics win vs. Raptors
Jordan Walsh did not play in the second half of the Celtics ' 112-96 win over the Raptors on Saturday night. However, the decision to bench the third-year forward was not performance-related according to Joe Mazzulla.
The Celtics coach revealed to reporters in Toronto that Walsh staying on the bench was largely due to his health.
Advertisement
"Jordan was sick today," Mazzulla said. "He wasn't supposed to play but we pushed him to and wanted to see what he could give us. He gave us what he could, so that's kind of what it was. … He obviously wasn't at his best so we just kind of went there in the second half. That's why he didn't play."
Walsh posted zero points and three rebounds in his 13 first half minutes and was a minus-13 amid a tough first half for much of Boston 's starting five. Jaylen Brown also sat out Saturday's game due to illness.
The Celtics started Josh Minott in place of Walsh in the starting five in the second half and also played Hugo Gonzalez and Baylor Scheierman at forward. The switch paid dividends as Gonzalez had a career night (10 points, 10 rebounds) and Scheierman had a positive impact with his defense with a pair of steals in his nine minutes.
With an ailing Walsh on the bench, the Celtics outscored the Raptors 63-45 in the second half on their way to a 16-point win.
Advertisement
Walsh and Brown will get a day to recover before the Celtics return to action on Monday night at TD Garden against the Pacers.
More Celtics content
Read the original article on MassLive . Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
