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DraftKings Post-Ups: Rozier has Chance to Step Up in Smart's Absence

Friday, November 27 - Wizards at Celtics

Pregame - Rozier has Chance to Step Up in Smart's Absence

BOSTON – Terry Rozier has been searching for an opportunity to establish a role with the Boston Celtics.

Now is as good a chance as ever for the rookie.

The Celtics are in need of backup assistance for starters Isaiah Thomas and Avery Bradley, since Marcus Smart will likely be sidelined for the next couple of weeks with a lower left leg injury.

Rozier has seen just 6.8 minutes of court time per game to this point, but C’s coach Brad Stevens says the young point guard has displayed great desire to make in impact.

“He wants really bad to make the right play to increase opportunity like anybody else who’s not playing as much,” Brad Stevens said prior to their 7:30 p.m. tip-off against Washington at TD Garden. “I think that he’s still learning the quick read from that position in this league and that takes time. That’s a hard position to play out of the gate.”

Stevens said having a rookie running the point is like “throwing him to the wolves.” There’s a lot more pressure being the floor general than being a spot-up shooter running to the corners. That being said, Stevens has confidence in Rozier’s potential to be an on-court leader. He may count on him against the Wizards tonight.

“He just needs to become more comfortable in calling things on the fly and seeing the right play at the right time and just defending as well as he can,” said Stevens. “I thought he did a pretty good job against these guys last time, so he’s a guy that I’d have faith to put in again.”

That’s saying a lot going up against the intimidating backcourt tandem of John Wall and Bradley Beal.

But it did not stop Stevens when these teams faced on Nov. 6. He gave Rozier a season-high 19 minutes of court time during that game and the rookie responded with five points and three assists, along with a plus/minus rating of plus-four.

Rozier may see in increased role tonight and during the next several games, since there still is no expected return date for Smart. Stevens said he will likely be out at least through the team’s upcoming five-game road trip which will go through Dec. 7.

There’s no doubt that the Celtics have missed Smart’s presence, as there have been some ugly defensive performances since he was initially sidelined last week.

“[Smart] gives us a great deal of physicality and a great deal of defensive versatility and awareness,” said Stevens. “Obviously he’s a guy that’s not afraid to make big shots or take big shots and making plays offensively, but he really does a good job of holding down the fort defensively when he’s off the ball, and having an impact on it.”

Those responsibilities will fall on the remaining guards – including Rozier – for tonight and the foreseeable future.

- Taylor C. Snow