With the Boston Celtics season roughly 70%-complete, Joe Mazzulla's team posts the best record in the League (45-12). Next-best in the East are the Cavs with a 37-19 record. Best-of-the-West are the Timberwolves at 40-17.
Be assured Mazzulla wont be resting on that record, but it does give him some leeway to test a few of his backups down the stretch. Among that crew are Xavier Tillman, Jaden Springer, Jordan Walsh and Neemias Queta.
Tillman and Queta (should the latter nail a full-time roster spot) could be important if injuries plague the current center position. Springer and Walsh could bring additional defense in the post-season, but their viability needs to be tested under fire in the regular season.
The top-6 in Boston's rotation can no longer be considered upstarts or novices in the playoffs. But the loss last season to the Heat in the Eastern Finals really hurt, and I can't envision anything resembling that happening again. Look for Joe to do some experimentation with his end-of-bench guys - even in close games. He has that wiggle room.
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