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The Celtics are shuffling up their starting lineup ahead of a decisive Game 6 against the 76ers
Robert Williams is expected to make his first start of the 2023 postseason on Thursday night.
With their backs up against the wall, the Celtics are shaking up their starting lineup ahead of a do-or-die Game 6 in Philadelphia.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla confirmed ahead of tip-off that Robert Williams will start on Thursday night, joining Al Horford in Boston’s frontcourt. Derrick White will slot out of the starting lineup and be pushed to the bench.
“At his best, Rob gives us a lift, especially on the defensive end,” Mazzulla said pregame. “So just looking for that.”
The Celtics’ “double bigs” lineup of Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Horford, and Robert Williams was the five-man unit that Boston relied on the most during their run to the NBA Finals in 2022.
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But with Williams sidelined by injury for extended stretches this season, Mazzulla used White in more of a featured role, giving Boston added scoring punch and versatility.
Boston has tried to limit Williams’ minutes throughout this current campaign following offseason knee surgery. But the center’s defensive impact will be needed to protect the rim against both Joel Embiid and James Harden, especially during the Sixers’ potent pick-and-roll plays.
Stapling Williams next to Horford should also help limit Philly’s ability to gain added possessions on the offensive glass.
Even though Williams and Horford have not shared the court much in this series, the duo played 332 minutes together during the regular season. Over that extended stretch, Boston outscored opponents by 15.9 points per 100 possessions.
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“Just his presence at the rim, his ability to guard on the perimeter and rebound and screen for us,” Mazzulla said of Williams’ impact. “I think those things he’s really been good at throughout the year and that’s what we’re looking for from him tonight.”
Thursday will mark Williams’ first start of the postseason. The Celtics’ big man has averaged 4.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game in the series.
Williams’ added minutes up front may not be the only change that Mazzulla has planned for Game 6.
According to Shams Charania and Jared Weiss of The Athletic, the Celtics also plan to give guard Payton Pritchard more reps off the bench. Pritchard has logged just 22 minutes this postseason, but scored eight points in nine minutes during Boston’s Game 5 defeat at TD Garden.
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