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Celtics rookies Hugo Gonzalez and Amari Williams proved they can step up, play big minutes in NBA
Williams woke up in Portland before finding out the Celtics needed him in Brooklyn Friday.
Hugo Gonzalez had been on the floor less than 10 minutes prior to the fourth quarter on Friday night. Amari Williams woke up in Portland, ME, not sure he would even be needed in Brooklyn at all.
Yet somehow, the pair of Celtics rookies didn’t just play in the overtime periods; they thrived in the pressure situation, and were an integral part of a gutsy Boston win.
Gonzalez had the highlight of the game — hitting a clutch corner 3 as time expired to send the game to a second overtime period. He finished his night with 10 points and seven rebounds.
Mazzulla had benched Gonzalez for a large chunk of the middle of the game after being frustrated with the young guard. But he trusted Gonzalez enough to put him back in the game in a big spot late.
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Williams didn’t even check into the game until the final minutes and only finished with three points and one assist. But every time he touched the basketball it seemed to make magic happen. From his perfect kickout pass to Payton Pritchard to his and-one play, his impact in overtime was valuable.
Williams explained his hectic morning to reporters after the game. He only made it to New York a few hours before tipoff, going through his morning shootaround in Maine.
“Neemy [Queta] wasn’t feeling great, so I flew in today,” Williams said. “You don’t know until you get here if you’re going to suit up or not, so you just gotta be ready for whatever.”
Williams and Gonzalez were key in the overtime win on Friday, and may be called upon again for extended minutes Saturday against the Bulls given their relatively fresh legs. Boston is on the second half of a back to back, and four stars played 37 or more minutes against the Nets.
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