PHILADELPHIA — When the Celtics learned that Robert Williams would be returning to the starting lineup for Game 6 on Thursday, they didn’t hide their feelings.
“I was excited,” Al Horford said.
“I was ecstatic about it,” Marcus Smart said.
They’ve been around long enough, and experienced plenty of games, to know how much Williams’ sheer presence on the floor – physically and emotionally – helps unlock the Celtics. After all, they reached the NBA Finals last season with this lineup for a reason.
“He’s the kind of guy that brings a level of joy to his teammates,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said.
Mazzulla’s decision to start Williams over Derrick White as the Celtics faced elimination in Game 6 was somewhat bold, given the stakes. But it was needed. And it was even expected, according to Sixers coach Doc Rivers, who thought the change would come in Game 5.
Maybe this series – which will head to Game 7 on Sunday after the Celtics’ 95-86 victory on Thursday – would have unfolded differently if Mazzulla made the adjustment sooner, or if Williams had a bigger role over the first five games. But there’s no question the change worked, as it fueled one of the Celtics’ best defensive efforts of the season and their best of the playoffs.
“I’ll tell you what, I’m glad that Joe made that adjustment and we did it because what a difference,” Horford said.
Almost immediately, Williams’ impact was noticeable as he played a free safety-like roamer role with P.J. Tucker in the corner. The Sixers, in the opening minutes, seemed hesitant to attack the paint and go inside. Williams affected a few shots. His presence, the security he provides in the back, allowed the Celtics to defend more aggressively, like when Smart wrestled the ball away from Joel Embiid or when Tatum blocked a 3-point attempt from James Harden.
The Celtics surged to a 15-3 lead in large part because of Williams. The Sixers started the game 1-for-11 from the field, thanks to Williams and Horford making life difficult for them on the interior. Offensively, Williams served as the lethal rim threat he is with a pair of dunks. He helped set the tone on both ends.
“It made a tremendous difference,” Jaylen Brown said. “It don’t take a professional to see the difference that Rob makes. You put him similar in that role he played last year where he can trust his instincts, make plays, even him tipping the ball out on rebounds and stuff like that. I feel like Rob felt a lot more comfortable out there in that double big (lineup).”
That lineup will most likely be played again in Game 7, and maybe the rest of the playoffs, too, if the Celtics advance. Williams finished with a plus-18 in Game 6. While he gives the Celtics one less shooter on the floor, he gives them their best defensive look, and Mazzulla has emphasized in recent days how their offense gets going when they get stops and push the ball in transition. The Celtics finished with 24 fast-break points in Game 6 after scoring just five in Game 5.
Horford mentioned several times how happy he was to have Williams back with him in the starting lineup. He said it settled the Celtics down to have him. It certainly sounded like the players were hoping for this change.
“When Rob’s not in there, I feel like a lot falls on my shoulders,” Horford said. “When he’s out there, I know that he’s got my back and I can be a little more aggressive, I can do different things.”
Mazzulla has earned a lot of criticism during this series, but made the right call by inserting Williams back into the starting lineup. The adjustment earned a backhanded compliment from his point guard.
“I was proud to have him on the court,” Smart said of Williams. “And that just goes to show you Joe’s learning just like all of us. I know he’s been killed a lot, rightfully so. He needs to make some adjustments and he did that. And that’s all you can ask for. Just continue to be the best he can be. And it takes everybody. It’s a full team effort.”