Brad Stevens continues to experiment with diverse lineups


Celtics Coach Brad Stevens is not afraid to go with a variety of lineups-of-the-moment as game situations change. He went for a time in the Celtics/Jazz matchup with four point guards on the court at the same time.


Last night he went with a quintet that had yet to see action together. The lineup of Al Horford, Jayson Tatum, Daniel Theis, Terry Rozier and Shane Larkin started the fourth quarter with Boston down 71-73 and went on a 16-0 run.


Rozier had five points in that run, with Tatum and Horford notching four points each and Daniel Theis scoring one three-pointer. Jayson Tatum had a terrific showing in the game with 19 points on 7/13 field goals, two-of-two on threes and a perfect three-of- three from the foul line. He added nine rebounds, two steals and two blocks.


It is quite obvious that Brad Stevens constantly-changing lineup strategy is not simply to find a five-some that will work best long-term, but rather to alter the course of a specific game in the Celtics favor. Complacent is not a word one would use to describe Brad.

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Photo via Winslow Townson/AP